NGO letters re: European Commission’s support to Civil Society Organisations through thematic programmes

On 26 April 2012 a coalition of NGOs wrote to Director-General Fotiadis to share their concerns about recent trends in the reduction of financial support available for civil society through the thematic programmes of the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI). They also described problems with regards to a lack of consultation with civil society on the Annual Action Programmes as well as the lack of predictability and transparency in the way financial decisions appear to be made within DG DEVCO.

The European Commission’s reply was much appreciated although it is clear that there is still work to do before this issue is solved.