Fabrice de Kerchove - Lost in Transition
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Transcript of Fabrice de Kerchove - Lost in Transition
Lost in Transition?King Baudouin Foundation: 10 years of funding civil society and democracy promotion in the Balkans
Brussels 22 November 2011
Mission
• Independent, pluralistic public benefit foundation• Founded in 1976• Pursuing sustainable ways to foster:
- justice
- democracy
- respect for diversity
Working together for a better society
Activity domains • Poverty
• Democracy
• Heritage
• Philanthropy
• Health
• Leadership
• Local
engagement
• Migration
• Development
Two phases
> 2000-2003: Strengthening the civil society
- small grants at grass-roots level- support to community-based projects- co-funding by US donors- implementation by local partners
> Since 2004: Bringing the Balkans closer to the European Union
- From civil society development to EU integration - “strategic” grant making and advocacy- working with governments
Democracy in the Balkans
• Minority rights (until 2009)
• Student mobility
• Assisting the victims of human trafficking
• European integration: - European Policy Centre
- European Fund for the
Balkans
General principles
> Long-term commitment and long project cycles
> « Niche » projects vs. broad programmes
> Linking the various levels (local, national, regional, European)
> Advocacy to the EU (use our presence in Brussels) and in the countries of the region
> Partnerships and co-funding
The impact of EU integration on civil society development and democracy promotion
> Before 2004 in Central and Eastern Europe
• US donors moving East• Long-term exit strategies: in trusts we trust• Financial sustainability: NGO darwinism? • Changing paradigms• Resurgence of State’s influence• Need for a meaningful dialogue and new forms
of relationship
The impact of EU integration on civil society development and democracy promotion
After 2004 in the Balkans
• The unfinished business of a double transition• Clear EU accession perspective• From civil society development to democracy
promotion• Overcoming isolation and individualistic agendas• The Member State building strategy:
- The International Commission on the Balkans- The European Fund for the Balkans
Thank you for your attention
www.kbs-frb.be