Caribbean News Service (CNS).
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Jul 12 2016 – Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Barbados and countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States have the opportunity to access financial assistance from the European Union, for projects aimed at enhancing the contribution of CSOs to governance and development. A call for such proposals has been launched with a deadline of 30th September 2016.
Charge d’Affaires at the EU Delegation in Barbados, Silvia Kofler said: “We value Civil Society Organisations as a crucial component of any democratic society. We would like to empower them with the capacities needed to put ideas into action. This is why the European Union partners with civil society – because we believe that our relationship should not only be with governments, but also with the people that they represent.”
The CSO programme aims at supporting CSOs’ contributions towards reinforced governance, accountability and inclusive policy-making in the regional context, as actors in governance and accountability; partners in promoting social development; and stakeholders in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.
Activities should be aimed at the promotion or protection of rights, including through legislative reform, and should have a possibility for replication and extension of the outcomes.
Proposed Actions should include project components aimed at professionalisation of CSOs and may include training and coaching on a variety of issues such as fundraising and sound financial management, design of project proposals, project management, development of business plans, principles of negotiation and leadership, group dynamics, conflict resolution, consensus building, time management, and improved technical skills.
Organisations interested in applying can access the full guidelines for applicants using the reference number EuropeAid/152400/DD/ACT/Multi from the web address https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/online-services/index.cfm?do=publi.welcome