|
|
May
1999
Financial
assistance to Latin America from the European Community stood at 486 million
Euro in 1995. The bulk of this is supplied as economic co-operation through
geographical lines to the region (275 million Euro in 1998). Additional funds
being are being supplied through sectoral or horizontal budget lines (see box
1).
Why is it difficult to obtain money from the EC?
Despite
the vast sums of money available, the EC
is not set up to disburse relatively small amounts of money to IPOs and
NGOs. The primary reasons are the lack of resources (staff and time) that are
required for smaller projects and the pressure to spend money to meet commitment
targets. Because of the historical connection between the EC and many southern
countries, there is a strong political and economic component in its aid which
is usually given to governments. In most cases projects are drawn up with governments.
The system is thus set up to disburse relatively large amounts of money which
invariably involves large consultancy and contracting firms.
|
Box 1 The European
Commission and Development The every
day work of the Community is administered by the European Commission.
It is composed of 24 departments (Directorate Generals) of which two
are responsible for overseas development: * DGVIII
deals with the former colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and
Pacific (ACP) States, which include Guyana, Surinam, Belize and most
Caribbean countries) * DGIB deals
with all other countries in Latin America and Asia. The two DGs
have recently been reorganised so that administration and financial
management has been drawn together into a new Common Service (SCR) The DGs disburse
funds in two ways: * geographical
budget lines or instruments that target specific countries or regions; *
sectoral or horizontal budget lines or instruments that target
specific issues such as human rights, tropical forests, population,
gender, environment, etc. |
To
date, much of the financial support to NGOs from the European Community has
gone to European NGOs working with southern counterparts. There has not been
any coherent strategy for the direct financing of southern IPOs or NGOs. A number
of often small budget lines are now available to finance NGOs and IPOs in the
South but these have largely been developed on an ad hoc basis, often in response to emergency situations and humanitarian
assistance. Some of the budget lines aimed at humanitarian assistance specifically
target indigenous peoples and communities. Annex 1 provides a breakdown of EC
instruments and budget lines available to IPOs and NGOs in the Amazon region.
In
December 1998, the European Community adopted a Resolution on Indigenous Peoples. The Commission is due to report
in the year 2000 on progress towards implementation of this Resolution. However,
budgetary commitments are not expected until 2004. In an attempt to embrace
the principles contained in the Resolution, the Human Rights Budget Lines are currently prioritising indigenous
peoples issues. Other budget lines open to southern IPOs and NGOs include those
surrounding health, education and population issues but are not listed here.
The
Tropical Forest Budget Line
(TFBL) and the Environment in Developing
Countries Budget Line (EDC) have in the past provided funds to IPOs and
NGOs in tropical forest areas. However both are currently being revised. Neither
of them will accept any new projects this year. It is unclear if and what will
be the possibilities next year.
Whilst
there are budget lines open to southern IPOs and NGOs, the obstacles to obtaining
these funds should not be underestimated. The system is difficult to understand
for those not familiar with the workings of the Commission. The allocation of
funds can be very bureaucratic and slow. Limited funds mean that only a handful
of projects are funded. It can easily take a year before a project will be agreed,
and once a project has been agreed, it can be a few years before all the allocated
funds are ebing paid. This problem often carries over to the implementation
of projects causing severe cash-flow problems. The complex administrative procedures
can also hinder progress. Southern IPOs and NGOs are now often required to provide
a bank guarantee. This can be a demanding process often incurring expenditure
on legal fees.
However,
by adopting a proactive approach, southern IPOs and NGOs can overcome some of
these obstacles. A few tips include:
* Visit the European Commission delegation in the country
(or their offices in Brussels) and meet the relevant people regarding budget
lines and those responsible for indigenous peoples' and tropical forest issues.
Request information. Contact details of delegations are given in Annex 2.
* Visit the European Commission's web sites (see Annex
2). Sites contain information on delegation addresses and guidance to applicants
for funding. If relevant information is not on the web sites, request that it
is put on.
* Speak to local IPOs and NGOs that have been successful
in obtaining funds from the European Community in the past. The European Commission's
delegation in the country will have more details.
* Build working relations with counterpart european
NGOs. Such organisations are more familiar with the internal workings of the
European Community and can assist or even overcome some of the above obstacles.
The following is a list of European NGOs working in support of indigenous peoples
(see Annex 2)
There
are a number of additional reasons for this.
·
Firstly,
the Commission is currently drafting a new Communication on Forest Development
Co-operation (updating the old 1989 Communication on Tropical Forests). A ‘communication’
from the Commission serves as a reference for initiatives for further policy,
in this case forests.
·
Secondly,
the Lome Convention for ACP countries is also being renegotiated. The Lome Convention
currently contains a protocol outlining broad principles for co-operation towards
the sustainable management of forests.
·
Thirdly,
all this is happening whilst DGIB and DGVIII are undergoing a major reorganisation;
whilst the Commission is being investigated for malpractice and fraud; whilst
member states are critically examining their contribution to the EC budget;
and whilst proposals are being considered to streamline the often complex budget
lines and financial instruments used by the Commission.
The
European Parliament has supported the continuation of both the TFBL and EDC.
However, senior officials in the Commission have proposed that the sectoral
budget lines should be scrapped altogether or that they should be merged within
the overall, and much larger geographical lines to countries and regions. Such
moves are being resisted, particularly by NGOs, because they will further diminish
the importance of sectoral issues (i.e, the environment) within the Commission;
it will also increase the likelihood of a more top-down approach.
The
problems are being made more difficult by the inability of the new Common Service
(SCR) to administer a very large work load. 5 staff are responsible for managing
nearly 600 forest and environment projects. The SCR has requested to those running
many sectoral budget lines to restrict the number of project applications by
proposing that only very large projects are submitted. Thus the TFBL will only
be submitting 3 large projects for approval during the financial year to 2000.
Previously, the number of projects was running at approximately 30 a year.
One
of the programmes that will be proposed this year is a 'small grants fund' under the TFBL which will enable small amounts
of money to be disbursed to organisations such as indigenous peoples. The minimum
size of project currently under the TFBL is 200,000 Euro.
1999
could mark a watershed for tropical forest issues within the European Community.
The legal basis for both the EDC and the TFBL may not be resolved before the
end of 1999. However, current policies are still in force and IPOs and NGOs
who wish to make funding applications should follow existing guidelines. These
are available from the European Commission delegation in your country, via their
web sites or via Fern. With the recent re-organisation of DGIB and DGVIII, it
is likely that the prospects for funding to all IPOs and NGOs will decrease
over the next few years. The most profitable avenue would appear to be the human
rights and democracy budget lines which have prioritised indigenous peoples
and communities for the funding application year, 1999.
ANNEX
1: THE MAIN EC BUDGET LINES/INSTRUMENTS OPEN TO IPOs AND NGOs
Sectoral
(Horizontal) Budget Lines
These
lines are allocated to particular sectors or issues (i.e., environment, tropical
forests, human rights) or groups of people (i.e. NGOs, women)
B7-6000. Co-financing
of NGOs
The
line is mainly reserved for European NGOs who often work southern partners.
Projects are only co-financed but this is one of only a very few budget
lines which allocates small amounts of money (sometimes less than 10,000 ECU).
This minimum size has recently increased. The EC contribution does not normally
exceed 50% of total project costs.
Amount
(1999):
200 million Euro (worldwide outside the EC)
Legal
Basis:
Council Regulation No 1658/97
Priorities:
* facilitate and strengthen
actions of European NGOs in support of southern partners
* improve living conditions and prospects of beneficiaries
* information and education.
Availability
to NGOs: Only to European
NGOs.
Guidelines:
Yes. 'General Conditions for the Co-financing of Projects'.
How
to Access Funds: Via European partner NGOs. Refer to list in text.
Current
Status: The Commission is encouraging
the creation of European NGO consortia for the
financing and implementation
of common programmes (possibly in an attempt to reduce
applications and workload).
Minimum size of project has been increased.
Contact
Points: S. Illing (Head of Unit) tel: 32
2 299 32 69
NGO Liaison Committee: 32
2 743 8760
B7-6200. Environment
in Developing Countries
This
budget line is open to southern NGOs and IPOs. It has the facility to fund 'smaller'
projects (down to 100,000 Euro) but funds are limited. The legal basis of this
line runs only to the end of 1999 and so is currently under discussion. Since
the TFBL (B7-6201) came into existence this budget line strongly decreased its
forest funding.
Amount
(1999):
15 million Euro (covers Africa, Carribean, Pacific, Asia and Latin America)
Legal
Basis:
Council Regulation No 722/97, April 1997
Priorities:
* implementing strategies towards sustainable development
* sustainable management and use of natural resources
* preservation and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems
* soil conservation including forest areas
Availability
to NGOs: Emphasis is
placed on local initiatives which have the support of NGOs, involve
local populations (including indigenous peoples)
Guidelines:
Yes. Guide for the Financing of Projects Undertaken in Developing Countries:
Environment
How
to Access Funds:Via the Guidelines from the European Commission Delegation or
Brussels
Current
Status:
The new Common Service has requested that applications for new projects
be restricted in 1999. The legal basis of this line runs only to the end of
1999 and so is currently under discussion.
Contact
Points: Artur Runge Metzger: 32 2 299 2512
(DGVIII)
Karine Jonsson: 32 2 299 7477
(DGVIII)
Dominique Clays: 32 2 299 4349 (DGIB)
B7-6201. Tropical
Forest Budget Line (and possibly a 'small
grants fund' in the future).
This
budget line is open to southern NGOs and IPOs. However, projects less than 200,000
ECU very rarely qualify. The legal basis of this line runs only to the end of
1999 and so is currently under discussion.
Amount
(1998):
50 million Euro (covers Africa, Asia and Latin America)
Legal
Basis:
Council Regulation No 3062/95, 20th
December 1995
Priorities:
* conservation of primary forests and their biodiversity
* sustainable management of forests (except large scale logging)
* assistance to forest populations to identify, plan and execute priorities
* certification
* capacity building and research
Availability
to NGOs: Funding is available
to both local and European NGOs. In principle, the Commission prefers projects
that originate from local organisations. Due to staffing constraints, small
projects are not funded potentially excluding many organisation. A small grants
fund has been proposed which will provide significantly smaller grants to NGOs
and IPOs. If all goes well this fund might be operational from 2000 onwards.
Financing
Guidelines: Yes.
Guide for the Financing of Projects Undertaken in Developing Countries.
How
to Access Funds:Contact Brussels.
Current
Status:
The new Common Service has requested that applications for new projects
be restricted to three in 1999. The legal basis of this line runs only to the
end of 1999 and so is
currently under discussion.
Contacts:
For Latin America, excluding Guyana, Surinam and Brazil : Joost van de
Velde: tel: 32 2 299 1096. For Brazil and Asia contact John Bazill tel:
32 2 299 0765. For Surinam, Guyana, Belize and other ACP countries contact
Anne de Ligne tel: 32 2 299 9842
B7-702. Human
rights and democracy in ACP countries
The
legal basis of human rights budget lines were recently formalised under two
new regulations, one for developing countries, the other for non-developing
countries. One of the priority areas is indigenous peoples in order to embrace
the signing of the EC's Indigenous Peoples Regulation in December 1998.
Amount
(1999):
17 million Euro
Legal
Basis:
New regulation came into force 11th May 1999 (L120/8.5.99)
Priorities:
* democratisation
* strengthening the rule of law
* good governance
* awareness raising and education
* support for vulnerable groups (including indigenous communities)
Availability
to NGOs: Is open to NGOs
in the beneficiary country and in Europe (priority given to partnerships with
southern NGOs).
Guidelines:
Being prepared
How
to Access Funds:Via Delegation or Brussels.
Current
Status: New legal basis confirmed
in May 1999. Issues surrounding indigenous peoples
havebeen prioritised for the funding application year, 1999.
Contact
Points: DG 1B: Jose Zarzoso Farinos tel:
32 2 296 24 90
DG VIII: Sylvie Prouveur 32-2-2993034 and
Timothy Clarke Head of Unit tel: 32 2 296 17 04
B7-703. Support
for democratisation in Latin America
The
legal basis of human rights budget lines were recently formalised under two
new regulations, one for developing countries, the other for non-developing
countries. One of the priority areas is indigenous peoples in order to embrace
the signing of the EC's Indigenous Peoples Regulation in December 1998.
Amount
(1999):
12.6 million Euro
Legal
Basis:
New regulation: N956/1999 (or L120/8.5.99)
Priorities:
As ACP States
Availability
to NGOs: Priority is
given to local, national or regional NGOs.
Guidelines:
Being prepared.
How
to Access Funds:Via Delegation or Brussels
Current
Status:
In 1998, under the budget line, a multiannual programme was launched
in Central America entitled "Democracy and human rights in Central America
1999-2000". In 1999, priority has been given
to setting up a similar programme for the Andean pact countries. Issues
surrounding indigenous peoples have been prioritised for the funding application
year, 1999.
Contact
Point:
Rosa Quevedo Diez: 32 2
295 71 38 and Gonzales Aleman: 32
2 299 46 27
B7-7040. Grants
to certain activities of human rights organisations.
The
legal basis of human rights budget lines were recently formalised under two
new regulations, one for developing countries, the other for non-developing
countries. One of the priority areas is indigenous peoples in order to embrace
the signing of the EC's Indigenous Peoples Regulation in December 1998.
Amount
(1999):
15 million Euro
Legal
Basis:
New regulation: N975/1999 (orL120/8.5.99)
Priorities:
* Training, legal advice and assistance
* Rights of children, women and ethnic minorities
* Rights of indigenous peoples worldwide
Availability
to NGOs: Open to local,
national or regional NGOs.
Guidelines:
Being prepared.
How
to Access Funds Via Delegation or
Brussels
Current
Status: Issues surrounding indigenous
peoples have been prioritised for the funding
application year, 1999.
Contact
Point:
Daniela Napoli, Head of Unit: 32 2 295 55 01 and Jeremy Lester: 32 2
295 93 14
B7-6430 Decentralised
Co-operation in Developing Countries
The
central aim of this programme (currently in a pilot project phase) is to move
away from the traditional/project-centric approach to development, often with
a single player, towards encouraging all the players to work together in devising
and implementing development programmes.
Amount
(1999):
4 million Euro
Legal
basis:
Lome Convention (Article 251)/L213 30.7.98.
Eligible
countries:
All developing countries
Priorities:
* promote decentralised co-operation through information and awareness
raising of potential actors
* Mobilise and strengthen actors' capacities
* prepare ground for more consistent interventions
Availability
to NGOs: Applications
may be presented by local or European organisations acting with a
southern partner.
Financing
Guidelines: Not
as yet
How
to Access Funds:Not finalised
Current
Status: Experimental phase of pilot
projects
Contact
Persons:
Alain Tonnet: 32 2 299 31
00 and Sigurd Illing tel:32 2 299 32 69
B7-31.
Financial, technical and economic co-operation with developing countries
in Asia and Latin America
This
is the main instrument for direct aid disbursement to Latin America (or ALA
countries). The legal basis emphasises that assistance is targeted at the poorest
developing countries or where economic and human resources are difficult to
mobilise.
Amount
(1999):
c 275 million ECU (Latin America only)
Legal
basis:
Council Regulation No 443/92 25th February 1992
Eligible
countries:
All non-ACP countries (i.e. Surinam, Guyana, Caribbean States), dependent
territories and French Guiana
Priorities:
* support to rural sector and the fights against drugs
* human and cultural development
* strengthening national institutions
* regional co-operation
* disaster prevention
* environmental protection including tropical forests (at least 10% of
all funding)
Availability
to NGOs: There are no
specific programmes for NGOs within this line although 'NGO programmes'
have been financed through this channel (i.e. PAPICA)
Financing
Guidelines: No
How
to Access Funds:Via European Commission Delegations
Contact
Persons:
Desk officers in DGIB in Brussels
European Development
Fund (EDF) Microproject Programmes
These
are allocated from the EDF component for the ACP country.
Amount
(1999):
Not specified
Legal
basis:
Lome Convention (Articles 252 and 253)
Eligible
countries:
All ACP countries
Priorities:
to address needs of local communities
Availability
to NGOs: Projects or
programmes are again identified by the national authorities, together
with the Commission. Microprojects may support a wide range of small-scale
activities to be
implemented by local or European NGOs.
Financing
Guidelines: Contact
European Commission delegation
How
to Access Funds:Via European Commission delegation
Current
Status:
The Lome Convention and EDF is currently being renegotiated and revised.
A new Convention will come into force from 2001.
Contact
Persons:
Delegation (see Annex 2) and desk officers in DGVIII/Mr Tonnet:32 2
299 3100.in Brussels
ANNEX
2 - USEFUL CONTACTS AND ADDRESSES
Web
Sites
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg1a/site/contacts/delegations.htm
This
provides addresses for delegations. However, it his currently under reconstruction
so a list is provided below.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg08/index_en.htm
(in English)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg08/index_fr.htm
(in French)
These
web sites provide information on DGVIII and ACP countries. The main text is
only available in English and French.
http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg1b/index_es.htm
(in Spanish)
http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg1b/index.htm
(in English)
These
web sites provide information on DGIb (the unit within DGI responsible for Latin
America and Asia for non-ACP countries). The main text is only available in
Spanish, English and French.
European
Commission Delegations, Representations and Offices in Latin America.
If
the country delegation is not given, call the nearest office for further details.
|
Antigua
and Barbuda |
Tel
(1 268) 4622970/Fax (1 268) 4622670 |
|
|
Argentina |
Tel
(54 1) 8053770/59,Fax (54 1) 8011594 |
|
|
Barbados |
Tel
(1246) 4274362/65,Fax (1246) 4278687 |
|
|
Belize |
Tel
(501 2) 32070,Fax (501 2) 72785 |
|
|
Bolivia |
Tel
(591 2) 410088,Fax (591 2) 414089 |
|
|
Brazil |
Tel
(55 61) 2483122,Fax (55 61) 2480700 |
|
|
Chile |
Tel
(56 2) 2060267, Fax (56 2) 2282571 |
|
|
Colombia |
Tel
(57 1) 2369040/6216043,Fax (57 1) 6100059 |
|
|
Costa
Rica |
Tel
( 506) 2832959, Fax (506) 2832960/1 |
|
|
Dominican
Republic |
Tel
(1 809) 5405837/6074, Fax (1 809) 5675851 |
|
|
Guatemala |
Tel
( 502) 366 5816, Fax (502) 366 5812 |
|
|
Guyana |
Tel
(592 2) 62667/869, Fax (592 2) 62615 |
|
|
Haiti |
Tel
(509) 493491/494480, Fax (509) 490246 |
|
|
Jamaica |
Tel
(1 809) 9246333-7, Fax (1 809) 9246339 |
|
|
Mexico |
Tel
(52 5) 5403345/6/7, Fax (52 5) 5406564 |
|
|
Nicaragua |
Tel
(505) 2704499, Fax (505) 2704484 |
|
|
Peru |
Tel
(511) 2218091/8186, Fax (511) 4228778 |
|
|
Surinam |
Tel
(597) 499322/49, Fax (597) 493076 |
|
|
Trinidad
and Tobago |
Tel
(809) 6220591/6226628, Fax (809) 6226355 |
|
|
Uruguay |
Tel
(598 2) 4007580, Fax (598 2) 4012008 |
|
|
Venezuela |
Tel
(58 2) 915133/5398, Fax (58 2) 99335573 |
|
NGOs
working in support of indigenous and local organisations
with
(some) knowledge of EC procedures:
Fern
Brussels
Fern UK
Chantal
Marijnissen
Saskia Ozinga
Sofia
Ryder
1C The Fosseway Business Centre
20
Avenue des Celtes
Stratford Road
1040
Brussels
Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9NQ
Belgium
United Kingdom
Email:
fern@arcadis.be Email:
saskia@gn.apc.org
Tel:
32-2-7422436
Tel: 44-1608-652895
Fax:
32-2-7368054
Fax: 44-1608-852878
Rainforest
Foundation
Forest Peoples Programme
Simon
Counsel
Marcus Colchester
Anne
Bouvier
1C The Fosseway Business Centre
SuiteA5,
City Cloisters
Straftford Road
188
Old Street
Moreton-in-Marsh GL 56 9NQ
EC1V
9FR London
United Kingdom
United
Kingdom
Email: fppwrm@gn.apc.org
Email:
rainforestuk@gn.apc.org
Tel: 44-1608-652893
Tel:
44-171-2516345
Fax: 44-1608-652878
Fax:
44-1717-2514969
[i] Since the adoption of the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, the European Community is often renamed the European Union. However the name European Community is in most cases still the correct name. In the case of development aid, European Community -or EC- aid refers to the aid flow administered by the European Commission. The term EU aid would include all the bilateral aid flows from member states.