The European Union in Ghana has concluded countrywide, consultations which identified five main priorities for an EU Country Roadmap for Engagement with Civil Society. This was after several specific consultations with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and with staff of the EU Delegation, EU Member States, as well as other international development partners (USA, Canada and the World Bank). The EU Delegation and EU Member States have endorsed the five main priorities chosen for the Roadmap 2014-2017. 1. CSOs representatives have the right to request for and disseminate information also through the media 2. Regular dialogue with CSOs working as process facilitators and catalysers between the State and local CSOs in the natural resource management sector is enhanced (Oil and Gas, Forestry, Environment, Land, Water, etc.) 3. The inclusiveness of existing spaces for dialogue in the area of gender equality and womens empowerment is enhanced, and the needs of vulnerable and marginalised groups are addressed 4. CSOs’ efforts to promote internal transparency and accountability and to strengthen links towards their constituents are supported 5. Coordination and networking amongst CSOs and with other actors (i.e. private sector) is enhanced, also allowing for diversification in the sources of funding The Roadmap is not to be considered a programming document per se. Rather; it is to be seen as a flexible and dynamic navigation tool, aimed at providing guidance for effective EU engagement with civil society at the country level. Priorities are therefore meant to reflect a strategic vision of change. Background: The process that led to the development of this document was officially launched in May 2014 and concluded in October 2014. In view of developing the Roadmap in 2014, the EU Delegation launched an Evaluation of the Impact of EU Support to Civil Society in Ghana in late 2013. This evaluation favoured a participatory approach by organising workshops in Tamale and Accra, where the future Roadmap exercise was already introduced to CSOs. The European Unions Communication on Civil Society identifies several areas where civil society actors can make a vital contribution to enhanced development and governance outcomes. The three priorities of the Communication, i.e. the enabling environment, the roles and participation of CSOs, and the capacity of civil society analysed in Section 1, are contextualised in this Section to the reality of Ghana with a vision towards the future.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:24:44 +0000