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Director’s blog: Do partner country interests matter to the EU anymore?
Whose Interests does ODA Truly Serve? AidWatch 2024 Launch Event
On Tuesday 22 October, CONCORD launched the 2024 edition of its AidWatch report. This year, the report posed the question, ‘Whose interests does ODA truly serve?’ and found that a significant portion of European ODA provision is being shaped by self-interests instead of the wellbeing of partner countries.
AidWatch 2024: Whose Interests Does Official Development Assistance Truly Serve?
CONCORD’s 2024 AidWatch report reveals that Official Development Assistance (ODA) from EU Member States increasingly serves national self-interest, falling short in both quantity and quality.
Launch of the Africa-EU Civil Society Platform for engagement in the AU-EU Partnership
CONCORD expresses its deepest sorrow on the death of former President Justin Kilcullen
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Justin Kilcullen, former CONCORD President (2006-2012) and valued member of the CONCORD family. Justin was a visionary leader and a tireless advocate for justice and equality. His dedication to making the world a better place has left an indelible mark on CONCORD and our entire community. His legacy of compassion and commitment to solidarity will continue to inspire us. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his extraordinary life. Rest in peace, Justin.
Tanya Cox interview: EU Development Policy Under Pressure from Right-Wing European Parliament
EP-ELECTION 2024:European development NGOs foresee challenges if the expected shift to the right occurs in the European Parliament elections. Tanya Cox, Director of CONCORD, the umbrella organisation for European development organisations, explains.
Claiming meaningful civil society space: CONCORD’s General Assembly 2024
On the occasion of our 21st General Assembly, our Confederation met in Brussels (Belgium) on 10-11 June. Over the two days, delegates from the 57 national platforms, networks and associate members gathered to celebrate the successes of the past year and how to further enhance our joint strategy.
‘You cannot reach the poorest if you don’t know who they are’: New research finds Global Gateway projects currently lacking ambition regarding inequality reduction in partner countries
CONCORD has launched new research on Global Gateway and inequalities, finding that if the initiative is not effectively rethought, it will exacerbate inequalities in partner countries rather than reducing them.
Nele Meyer: EU decision-making processes are being challenged and the rules of the game are changing. What does this mean for civil society?
The established decision-making processes in the EU are being challenged and the rules of the game seem to be changing before our very eyes. As civil society, we will need to learn from this experience. If indeed the democratic decision-making process is being put into question, we must play to our strength and join forces to counter the political power play.
Nicolas Van Nuffel: Civil society’s Brussels Declaration asserts a vision of a fair and sustainable Europe – in contrast to the Council’s draft Strategic Agenda
On 21 and 22 March, European civil society organisations gathered in Brussels for the European Citizens’ Summit, with a dual aim: to discuss their proposals and strategies, and to speak with one voice for an open, fair and sustainable Europe. The result was the Brussels Declaration, adopted at the end of the Summit by over a hundred organisations. Unfortunately, the provisional priorities of the Council outlined in the draft strategic agenda for 2024-29 stand in stark contrast to the civil society’s vision in the Brussels Declaration.
‘A sell-out of international cooperation’: DG INTPA turns its back on commitments to put human development at the centre of its international cooperation in leaked briefing
The leak of the draft Briefing Book from the Department for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) for the next Commission sparked anger among CONCORD and its members. DG INTPA, entrusted with supporting its partner countries on their path to sustainable development, reducing poverty, and promoting human rights, has taken a shocking turn toward prioritising competition and EU-centric interests, particularly in securing critical raw materials.
ODA … missing the mark (again): Preliminary 2023 figures show EU aid keeps failing human development and equality
Statement: African and European CSOs on key issues in the AU-EU Partnership
CONCORD has endorsed a statement by a group of African and European civil society and youth organisations working as the Africa-Europe Joint Civil Society Engagement Team. The group aims to establish a structured and permanent mechanism for civil society and youth engagement within the AU-EU Partnership, based on principles of transparency, equal participation, accessibility, and inclusion.
Towards transparency and diversity? Raising awareness of challenges of NDICI-Global Europe for CSOs
AidWatch 2022 | 1 euro in every 6 not going towards those left furthest behind
2021 should have been the year to double down on ODA to counter compounding global challenges. Instead, 1 euro in every 6 from EU and Member States’ ODA budgets did not even go towards those left furthest behind.
One Year in CONCORD: reflecting on our achievements in 2023
Before we get the ball rolling on our work for 2024, CONCORD is taking the opportunity to reflect on what we’ve achieved in 2023. We’ve reached considerable milestones and successes over the past year such as hosting our first Equality Day, shaping the Global Gateway CSO platform, and launching our annual AidWatch report, to name just a few.
2023: A bad year for civic space in the EU. What does this mean for 2024, the European Elections and institutional renewal?
There has been one setback after another for civic space in the EU over the course of 2023. I could cite – in no particular order – the EU Foreign Agents Law, which could impact non-EU sources of funding for CSOs. Or the fact that MEP Pieper is again trying to get a report through the European Parliament to ‘enhance’ transparency and accountability of NGOs benefitting from EU funding. Or the Code of Conduct (Rules of Procedure) in the European Parliament which are already having significant impacts on our members and partners in terms of who can meet with MEPs. And these are but three examples
Putting PCSD on the 2030 Agenda: success for civil society action and SDG progress
CONCORD marked a significant success in our advocacy with the adoption of Council Conclusions on 27th November. The Conclusions represent a win for CONCORD’s work on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD), and a step in the right direction in progressing Agenda 2030.
ODA under scrutiny: AidWatch 2023 launch event
On Wednesday 18th October, CONCORD launched its 2023 AidWatch report, ‘Bursting the ODA inflation bubble.’ The report analyses both the quantity and the quality of EU ODA, finding that although reported figures are at a record high, 22% of reported ODA did not meet the most basic criteria to qualify as such.
Bursting the ODA inflation bubble: AidWatch 2023 Report Unveils the Gap Between Rhetoric and Reality
While Official Development Aid (ODA) figures are reportedly at record highs, the AidWatch 2023 report shows how the EU and its Member States have managed once again to claim billions as aid that did not meet the most basic criteria to qualify as ODA.
Navigating the Waters of Systems Change: Building a Just and Inclusive Future Together
Rilli Lappalainen, recently re-elected President of CONCORD, dedicates this month’s blog to explaining the processes of Systemic Change and how it can be integrated into the working structure of our Confederation.
Celebrating 20 years of CONCORD: 2023 General Assembly
Our 20th General Assembly was a very special one. Not only because it was the first in-person one after four years, but also because it was the occasion to celebrate CONCORD’s 20th anniversary.
Beyond growth beyond Europe: What policies and partnerships?
CONCORD recently partnered with the European Parliament in the organisation of their 3-day Beyond Growth conference. The event apparently drew 2000 people to join physically, while 2000 more were online. That is an enormous success.
Equality: Turning words into actions to leave no one behind
CONCORD hosted our first ever Equality Day this month, at which many practitioners, EU officials and CONCORD members came together see what more we could do.