Project Title: Starting up Policy Activities of the Czech NGDOs Platform

Implementing Organisation: The Czech National NGO Platform (Fors)

Total Budget: 49.974 euros

Request from Fund: 44.796 euros

Overall Situation at the Beginning of the Project:

Czech NGDOs focused on implementation of development programmes in the South and on development education rather than engaging in debates over the EU development policy related international policy agenda. There was insufficient expert capacity for and experience in policy work among the Czech NGDOs. Financial sustainability of operations remained in the forefront of the Czech NGO needs, EU was therefore largely perceived as a source of potential programme financing, rather than as an important driver of the international development cooperation.

Project Description and Expected Results:

The main purpose for FoRS, the Czech NG(D)O platform to apply for PF funding was that it wanted to foster an active participation of Czech NG(D)Os in development policies at both national and EU level so that the Czech Republic and the EU can contribute more towards the achievement of the MDGs. Although it was already set up in 2002 (with members such as People in Need (PIN), Glopolis and the International Gender Policy Network, all recipients of PF funding), FoRS also wanted to improve its own structure and develop better advocacy tools. At EU level it planned to focus its activities on creating or improving its relationship with national platforms such as Dochas (Ireland) and Bond (UK) and with Concord (of which it is one of the co-founders) and Trialog. Ultimately (in 2009),  it hoped to be empowered to apply for EU funding  together with NG(D)O platforms in Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Poland, Ireland and Sweden. While FoRS was granted funding in call 4, the implementation started some six months later due to the fact that FoRS could not find a qualified project officer.

Results after Implementation:

In its mid-term review after the request for an extension to June 2009, FoRS reported that as a first initiative it developed a policy strategy which it submitted to its members at a General Assembly meeting. Though funded through other means this had a link with the PF project objectives. For the first half of the project implementation period FoRS reported cooperation  with Glopolis, which provided an internship for the new project officer,  with the Polish Green Network, working on Aid Watch reports on ODA in the new Member States, with Concord and with Sloga (Slovenia) in preparation for the Czech Presidency.

Within FoRS the members organised a series of working groups such as the one on Policy (with Terms of Reference), on Awareness Raising, on Development Education and on Development Studies. It is not clear whether these working groups took part in preparing for and follow-up to the different international meetings representatives from FoRS attended such as the Accra High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (September 2008)  or the international meeting organised by Coordination Sud.

In its final report submitted in December 2009 FoRS reported that it had so far not managed to finalise its policy strategy, but hoped to do so in 2010. However, the activities reported on show that FoRS played an important role during the Czech Presidency (January-June 2009) and had managed to have had a strong impact on the Presidency’s agenda, particularly since it was member of the MFA’s working group on the Presidency and an observer of the Czech Council for International Development Cooperation (an advisory body to the MFA since 2008). In this context it reported having had regular meetings with the Czech Permanent Representatives in Brussels, attending the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra, and partaking in the organisation of a lunchtime meeting on the Cotonou Agreement and Economic Partnership Agreements during the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Prague (5 & 6 April 2009). All these activities helped raise FoRS’ profile among the national NGOs and motivated them, as members of FoRS to join in the activities and discussions within their own capacity means. On the basis of these very positive results FoRS hopes to be able to continue in 2010 with the same élan and success, having managed to find additional funding to maintain the post of policy coordinator for a longer period of time.