92001E3646

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3646/01

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Budget line B7-6000

On 18 January 2000 the Commission adopted a discussion paper entitled The Commission and non-governmental organisations: building a stronger partnership. The document outlined various ways of providing a Commission-wide framework for cooperation more coherent than that previously organised on a sector-by-sector basis.

However, the working document Draft guidelines for implementation of NGO co-financed projects carried out in developing countries under budget line B7-6000 in 2002 seeks to limit still further NGO autonomy and their scope for initiative in submitting co-funding projects.

Given that the funds allocated to budget line B7-6000, which is specifically for NGOs, represent barely 3 % of the total aid earmarked for cooperation with third countries:

- Will the Commission explain why it is seeking to restrict NGO autonomy still further, given their already limited sphere of action?

- Does the Commission want to continue curbing the scope for NGOs to take initiatives in submitting co-funding projects under budget line B7-6000?

Could these attempts to curb and restrict initiatives by NGOs not be seen as contrary to the provisions on encouraging participation by civil society contained in the Cotonou Agreement?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2002)

The Commission has indeed undertaken to explore ways of improving the framework for cooperation with non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Development is one of the areas in which cooperation between the Commission and the NGOs is particularly well established and forms the subject of regular, in-depth discussions.

The guidelines for implementing projects cofinanced with the NGOs and carried out in the developing countries under budget heading B7-6000 for 2002 and 2003 were recently adopted by the Commission after it had consulted the Member States. The guidelines are based on respect for the NGOs' right of initiative and recognition of their specific role among the disadvantaged and marginalised sectors of the population in the developing countries.

The Commission does not therefore share the point of view that the Commission is restricting NGO autonomy and their scope for initiative. It is worth pointing out that the Commission's support for the NGOs is not confined to budget heading B7-6000, but is provided through a number of other financial instruments, such as the budget headings for human rights, humanitarian aid, rehabilitation etc.: consequently, cooperation involving the NGOs greatly exceeds the percentage mentioned by the Honourable Member.

In the case of cooperation with the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), the new guidelines for the budget heading not only tie in fully with the Cotonou Agreement, but are also particularly tailored to supporting the strengthening of civil society in the partner countries, one of the key points of the Agreement.