Our Voices, Influence and Access (VIA) Project works with civil society organisations, small-scale producers and parliamentarians in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to ensure the Cotonou Partnership Agreement (between the European Union and the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries) promotes sustainable and equitable development and democracy. The VIA Project started in 2002.
VIA Publications
Accessing European Commission Funding under the 9th European Development Fund: The Case of the NANGOF Trust
The NANGOF Trust is the successor body to NANGOF, the Namibia Non-governmental Organisations' Forum
The 2000 Cotonou Partnership Agreement between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) nations included a provision for non-state actors to become fully engaged in the planning, implementation and assessment of development programmes. The Cotonou Partnership Agreement envisages support for capacity building for non-state actors.
This Case Study describes the lengthy, and sometimes difficult, negotiations leading to the NANGOF Trust obtaining European Commission funding for building the capacity of civil society in Namibia. It is a useful guide for NGO associations in other countries.
The Case of the NANGOF Trust
Making Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) developmental
The 2000 Cotonou Agreement provided for the conclusion of WTO compatible trading arrangements and progressively removing trade barriers. In this regard, negotiations of EPAs were undertaken with ACP countries. From the outset of the negotiations ACP countries advocated that the negotiations should address the multi-dimensional nature of the development process of their economies, namely, poverty reduction, sustainable development, gradual and smooth integration of the ACP countries into the global economy. They expressed fears that EPAs may result in massive revenue losses due to tariff reduction and the
introduction of non-reciprocity. Developing countries continue to argue that such
revenue losses would affect their national budgets, resulting in increased deficits, reduced spending on poverty reducing interventions in infrastructure, health care, education, safety nets amongst others, thereby exacerbating poverty.
This Report outlines how EPAs could be designed to promote sustainable and equitable development.
By: Tendai Makwavarara, April 2005
MAKING ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS (EPAS) DEVELOPMENTAL
How can the Cotonou Agreement strengthen democracy and good governance at national, regional and continental levels?
The 2000 Cotonou Partnership Agreement covers aid, trade and political relations between the European Union and the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries. This Briefing examines how the Agreement could foster democratic governance through strengthening the role of civil society.
HOW CAN THE COTONOU AGREEMENT STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE AT NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND CONTINENTAL LEVELS?
The Cotonou Agreement: Opportunities and Challenges for Southern Africa?
Opportunities arising from the Cotonou agreement for Southern Africa can be presented in two categories: economic gains and the empowerment of the non-state actors. Economic benefits may arise through increased EU market access as well as financial aid to assist the private sector and for initiating programs that are aimed at poverty reduction. This Briefing examines the opportunities and challenges posed for Southern Africa.
The Cotonou Agreement: Opportunities and Challenges for Southern Africa?
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A gender analysis of the Cotonou Agreement and its implementation
Specific provisions on gender are highlighted in Article 31 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement emphasise that gender issues should be a cross cutting theme and concern in all programmes, projects and activities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres of co-operation. This Briefing explores what this might mean in practice.
A gender Analysis of the Cotonou Agreement and its implementation
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The Cotonou Partnership Agreement - Opening-up new opportunities for Non State Actor Engagement
One World Action's Voices Influence and Access (VIA) Project commissioned this study to establish to what extent civil society organisations were able to participate in the aid, trade and political relations processes outlined in the Cotonou Partnership Agreement in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It explores the position with regard to funding of non-state actors and analyses the EU Delegation's capacity to work with civil society.
The Cotonou Partnership Agreement - Openinig up new opportunities for Non State Actor Engagement
The Cotonou Partnership Agreement and Angola
This examines what the Cotonou Partnership Agreement offers Angola.
The 'COTONOU AGREEMENT' and ANGOLA
O ACORDO DE COTONOU E ANGOLA (Portuguese)
