Implementing Organisation: SLOGA- Slovenian NGDO Platform for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid

Project Title: Bridging the knowledge gap between old MS, NMS & NGOs from the South about ACP-JPA

Total Budget: 46 325 euros

Presidency Fund support: 29 245 euros

Overall Context at the Beginning of the Project:

The European Union (EU) is the biggest donor in the world and plays a key role in promoting the effectiveness of aid delivery to developing countries. The entry of New Member States (NMS) in the EU associated them with the overall role of the EU and its leadership in development cooperation. Slovenia hold the Presidency of the EU during the first semester of 2008, and consequently hosted the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) in Ljubljana in 15-20 March 2008.

Description of the Project and Expected Results:

The main objective of the first proposal submitted by Sloga was the strengthening of the capacity of the Slovenian NG(D)Os  by involving them in the work implemented by Sloga. Through Sloga they would be more actively participating in the debate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at the EU level, taking part in national and EU consultations. Sloga intended to update its website, create an up-to-date data-base and send out e-mail alerts about events, funding opportunities and other issues particular in the context of EU development policies. It also intended to cooperate closely with Concord and other NG(D)O platforms.

Results after Implementation:

In its final report Sloga announced that it had become a member of Concord and, within its own membership, had set up 4 working groups, linked to respective Concord working groups, which met up once a year and developed relevant advocacy materials. Sloga also organised events more or less on a monthly base in which not only its own members took part, but also NGOs from the Balkans and from ‘old’ Member States (e.g. IPPF, BOND, EPLO, Kekys; DEEEP). It developed a good relationship with the MFA (having very regular meetings and being recognised as an important partner (see also the MFA website)) and with M(E)Ps. It was very active during the Slovenian Presidency using all the internet tools at its disposal to raise awareness and exert influence on development policy at both national and EU level. It made use of the opportunity offered during the Presidency to play an important role in building the capacity of new Member States’ NGOs by organising workshops on the EPAs, the EDF and EU Institutions and inviting representatives from the ACP during the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Ljubljana.

In order to ensure that the last mentioned activity was not hampered by a lack of funding Sloga applied and received a second grant in call 5. This activity was implemented to everybody’s satisfaction and while efforts are being made to continue attending such meetings (e.g. the JPA in Prague) financial resources will ultimately decide on the sustainability of such projects.