e-zine nEUws, 74th edition

E-zine nEUws, 74th edition
2 November 2006

• Call for Proposals
• EU News
• Upcoming Events
• Resources

Calls for Proposals

The Calls on the following budget lines are usually open for organizations and projects interested in SRHR. For further details on any of these Calls or corrigenda see the EuropeAid website http://ec.europa.eu/comm/europeaid/cgi/frame12.pl.

Community Stabilisation Support Programme To improve protection of minorities and ensure the viability of minority communities and their non discriminatory participation
- Kosovo: enable the sustainability of communities, incl. agricultural and economic development, social and cultural activities; address issues in the areas of health, education, employment; until 22.01.2007; Budget: € 3 million.

Strengthening of Civil Society
To strengthen the role of civil society associations by promoting networks.

- Kosovo: build capacity of NGOs enhance quality of services, 
support advocacy for the most vulnerable groups, develop networks. 
until 06.11.2006; Budget: € 1 million.

- Montenegro: build capacity of NGOs enhance quality of 
services, support advocacy for the most vulnerable groups, develop networks, until 08.11.2006; Budget € 600,000.

Aid to Uprooted People

Focuses on reintegration/resettlement phases of uprooted crises
- Thailand: support to refugees from Burma/Myanmar inside and around the camps; until 31.10.2006; Budget € 2 million.

EIDHR projects
To maximize the effectiveness, impact and visibility of actions undertaken in support of the protection and promotion of human rights and democratization.

- Bolivia; promote a culture of human rights, to foster equality, tolerance and peace; until 21.12.2006; Budget € 480,000.
- Eritrea: educate, monitor, advocate and raise awareness on human rights (with focus on vulnerable groups); until 20.11.2006; Budget € 255,000.
- Morocco: promote a culture of human rights and democracy; until 18.12.2006; Budget € 950,000
- Venezuela: promote a culture of human rights; until 20.12.2006; Budget € 300,000

EU News

Development cooperation instrument (DCI)
16/17 October
The Council (GAERC) reached agreement on a draft regulation to establish a financing instrument for development cooperation for 2007-2013 with €17 billion. A common position will be adopted by the Council without delay and forwarded to the European Parliament for a second reading under the Parliament-Council co-decision procedure. They aim to have the regulation signed in December and  enter force on 1 January 2007.  More here.

Finnish Presidency WAD consultation
November 27
DSW and other Brussels-based organizations have contributed to a Council statement on HIV/AIDS to be released on World Aids Day. The draft statement focuses on prevention and especially on vulnerable groups, through a human rights approach. It emphasizes the young, female face of the epidemic. CODEV will discuss the statement on November 16. Link to the European Council.

Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM)

DSW and other Brussels-based organizations participated in two meetings with GFATM representatives: one with Peter van Rooijen, GFATM Board Member on how to increase cooperation with Brussels-based NGOs for reaching common objectives. At the end of 2006, the Fund has still not completely replenished its budget: There is still a gap of $300 million. The second meeting was organized by the European Commission regarding GFATM operations at country level and opportunities for greater collaboration with EC-funded programmes.

Evaluation of EC impact assessment system Organisations active in the policy making processes are encouraged to participate in an online external evaluation on the European Commission's Impact Assessment System by November 30. 

See http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/consultations/index_en.htm.

Country Strategy Papers (CSPs)
The Cotonou agreement stipulates that civil society organizations have the right to be consulted in the process of drafting the CSP, which will be finalized at country level by the end of December. For more information on the time-frame of the CSP process:

http://www.acp-programming.eu/wcm/index.php.

Upcoming Events

Global Campaign Microbicide EP exhibition

6-9 November

An exhibition, "Giving Women Power over AIDS," will be on display in the European Parliament, which tells the story of Martha, an AIDS orphan in sub-Saharan Africa, and her mother Ruth, coupled with an education campaign to raise awareness and support for microbicide research and global AIDS funding. More here:

http://www.global-campaign.org/exhibit.htm.

Development Days
The European Commission is planning a conference called "European Development Days" for 13-17 November. DSW and other organizations are planning exhibit stands and panel presentations in association with this event. A specific website on this event has been launched: See http://www.eudevdays.eu.

Resources

Progress Report on EU Africa strategy
The European Commission and Council Secretariat have issued a Progress Report on the Implementation of the EU Strategy for Africa. 
According to this report, in 2006/2007 the EU is likely to provide more than 65% of total contributions, which represents a considerable increase. Not including Member States' bilateral efforts, the EU contribution to the Fund in 2006 amounts to €90 million (out of which
€62 million comes from the EDF and €28 million from the EC budget). 
Link to the Progress Report:
http://www.europe-cares.org/africa/docs/061012_FINAL_VERSION.pdf.

EU Annual Report on Human Rights 2006
The Council approved the 8th EU annual report on human rights, which provides an overview of the EU's work in promoting human rights and democracy. The report records the EU's human rights related activities with regard to third countries, action atmultilateral level as well as important thematic issues.