15 October 2012: The Council of the EU has pledged to renew its engagement with civil society in the context of external relations and foreign aid, at a meeting of its Foreign Affairs Development Council in Luxembourg. In a document titled, “The roots of democracy and sustainable development: Europe’s engagement with civil society in external relations,” the EU affirms that synergies between States and civil society organizations (CSOs) can help address poverty, and support equality, social inclusion and sustainable development.

The document builds on several European policies, international commitments made under the 2011 Busan Partnership on Effective Development Cooperation, and the 2010-2011 “Structured dialogue on the involvement of CSOs and local authorities in EU development cooperation.”

In the document, the Council calls for a rights-based approach to development cooperation, and acknowledges the role of CSOs in promoting human rights and gender equality. It commits to promoting CSO participation in aid programming. In addition, while it affirms the responsibility of governments in ensuring effective provision of social services, it recognizes the role of CSOs in: service delivery and piloting of innovative projects; promoting entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, and equitable access to natural resources, health, education and food security; and conflict prevention and state building, particularly in post-conflict or fragile contexts.

The Council commits to developing road maps in partner countries for engaging with CSOs, taking into account the views of local CSOs and coordination structures. The Council also welcomes a proposal for setting up a consultative multi-stakeholder forum enabling CSOs and other development actors to dialogue with EU institutions on development policy. [Council Conclusions]