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Talking Development Ep.3 (with Laura Sullivan): Say yes to change! Why voting at EU level matters
In this (for now) last episode of Talking Development, WeMove.EU’s Laura Sullivan talks democracy: the hottest topics of these EP elections, political apathy, why there are reasons for hope!
CONCORD reacts to the Foreign Affairs Council on Development
On the 16th of May 2019, EU Member State Ministers responsible for Development Cooperation met in Brussels. CONCORD shares its views on the Council’s outcome.
Talking Development Ep.2 (with Gina Wharton) – Strengthening our ties: why the EU needs an eye-level partnership with Africa
Gina Wharton, Advocacy Advisor at the European Network of the International Planned Parenthood Federation discusses the future of EU-Africa relations, the importance of human development and why the EU needs partnerships based on fairness and equality.
Talking Development Ep.1 (with Tanya Cox) – Beyond growth: an economic system that works for everyone
What is at stake during May’s European Parliament Elections? In this first episode of Talking Development, CONCORD’s Director Tanya Cox urges us to vote for politicians who will rethink our economic system to serve all people and the planet.
Let’s vote for substance and our ideals – because politics matter
Two trends run the risk of derailing the upcoming European Parliament elections: the trivialisation of politics and the disillusionment of people with politics. In order to move forward, we must overcome both these trends.
Talking with Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition’s Anne Pakoa: “A voice stronger than ever”
Anne Pakoa, a vocal figure in Vanuatu’s civil society, exchanges views with CONCORD on the Pacific’s most pressing issues for future EU-ACP relations.
The Road to a Budget4Solidarity: Half-Way There
How will the EU commit to financing development? 2019 has seen progress towards a sustainable, human rights-based approach to spending our money where it is most needed. Now it’s time to recap.
CONCORD’s Litmus Test for EU leaders: how will your work for sustainable development?
With the European Parliament elections around the corner, new EU leaders are about to take on their posts. CONCORD’s new paper puts these leaders’ priorities to the test and asks: “How will you work for sustainable development?”
In memory of Paolo Dieci, a passionate voice for international cooperation and development
On Sunday, March 11, a tragic plane crash took the lives of all 157 passengers travelling to Nairobi. Among the victims was Paolo Dieci, a most dedicated and passionate advocate for international cooperation.
Beyond sheer scenarios: how to shape an overarching Sustainable Europe 2030 Strategy
In the wake of the European Commission’s newly launched Reflection Paper on Sustainable Development, CONCORD asks current and future EU leaders to adopt an overarching SDG strategy.
CONCORD reacts: EU’s development work is put under the microscope
The EU, as a member of the OECD Development Assistance Committee, has recently had its development cooperation policies reviewed by its peers. Despite noted accomplishments, CONCORD underlines several recommendations of this assessment.
Accentuating the positive: making the case for solidarity
In some parting reflections, Seamus Jeffreson, CONCORD’s outgoing director, looks back on five eventful years in the NGO world. Despite current political pressure on CSOs, his outlook for civil society is one of solidarity, humanity, and resilience.
The upcoming presidency trio needs to set Europe on a sustainable path
Romania, Finland and Croatia recently published the Trio Programme for their upcoming EU Council Presidencies. The Trio Programme sets the joint political priorities for the presidencies and does not suggest radical changes, but puts emphasis on jobs and growth. European NGOs would like to see human rights based policies aiming at well-being within planetary boundaries.
Future EU Budget delay? Funding gap could put vital development aid at risk
Ahead of the European Council during which the external relations part of the future EU budget will be discussed, CONCORD urges EU leaders to safeguard the amount dedicated to Heading VI (external relations) and agree on the political timeline. The future development aid budget and the European Union’s engagement in addressing global challenges is at stake.
CONCORD appoints new Director, Tanya Cox, as Seamus Jeffreson leaves
After five years as Director, Seamus Jeffreson is moving on from CONCORD, the European Confederation of Development NGOs. From January 2019, Tanya Cox will take over and become the new Director of the Confederation.
Learning & Exchange Forum 2018: cultural shift towards resilience
CONCORD members gathered in Prague this November to explore possibilities of a cultural shift in NGOs sector. As Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are challenged, criminalised and losing support from their governments and the citizens, the aim of Learning & Exchange Forum 2018 was to explore how CSOs can change their culture to sharpen their values and remain relevant.
Let’s put Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development at the heart of EU Common Agricultural Policy
The current Common Agricultural Policy is going under a reform proposal for 2020-2027. With its new paper, CONCORD, together with partners from Local dairy Campaign, West Africa, has gathered recommendations on how the EU can and should integrate PCSD into the proposal.
Impact of EU policies in the world: seeing the bigger picture one year on
One year after CONCORD’s report analysing whether Commission impact assessments sufficiently take into account the impact of policy proposals on developing countries, where do we stand? In this new paper, CONCORD conducts a quantitative analysis of the impact assessments as well as a qualitative analysis of 3 particular cases.
Recommendations for the 6 strategic priorities of the future EU-ACP Agreement
The Cotonou Partnership Agreement is coming to an end in 2020. To ensure a fair ground leading to a “partnership of equals”, CONCORD has developed a list of recommendations, serving as a contribution from civil society to the ongoing EU-ACP negotiations to ensure mutually beneficial priorities.
Migration is not a problem to be managed, the real concern is inequality
Much of the current migration from developing countries to Europe — when not responding to immediate threats such as conflict, political persecution, famine and instability — is just a symptom, among many, of the massive social and economic gap that exists between certain regions of the world.
AidWatch Report 2018: inflated, decreasing and diverted EU Aid
For the first time since 2012, the EU’s aid spending decreased in 2017. This means, at the current rate of growth, the EU would need another 40 years to meet the 0.7% ODA/GNI target, reveals CONCORD AidWatch Report 2018.
Sustainable EU by 2030: EU Multi-Stakeholder Platform adopt common proposals
30 high-level members from the EU’s Multi-stakeholder Platform on SDGs adopted common proposals from civil society to move towards a Sustainable EU by 2030. Amongst a variety of backgrounds and constituencies, we found common ground to push forward together.
Is development going digital?
Digitalisation is becoming a vital part of our world, and by extension of development cooperation. It represents new challenges and opportunities for our sector. This report, commissioned by FOND Romania and CONCORD Europe, analyses key digital trends and impacts of digitalisation on the development agenda as well as explores the opportunities for civil society organisations.
Sustainable development must guide the successor Cotonou Agreement
The European Commission has officially launched negotiations with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) on a new partnership agreement to succeed the Cotonou Agreement. This represents an opportunity to build people-centered cooperation as equal partners but, there is concern about the narrative of Africa being portrayed only as Europe’s trade and economic partner.