EU delegation launches project to support civil society groups

MANILA, Philippines - The delegation of the European Union to the Philippines recently launched two local Calls for Proposals amounting to P338 million (euro 5.55 million) aimed at supporting projects of civil society organizations in the fields of human rights and local governance.

Those calls add around 10 new projects of ongoing non-government organization programs funded by the EU in the Philippines.

Lubomir Frebort, EU charge d’affaires, said that the launching of these two calls re-affirmed the commitment of the EU to human rights and good governance.

“Civil society is, in the Philippines, a particularly dynamic and valuable social actor, and plays a very active role in the promotion of human rights and in the enhancement of local governance,” he added.

The first Call has been launched under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights - Country-based Support Scheme (EIDHR-CBSS) with a financial outlay of P55 million.

The fund will target activities focusing on: support to Human Rights Defenders and their families, protection of the rights of women and children, particularly the prevention of trafficking, domestic violence and protection of children affected by armed conflict, and promotion of social, cultural and economic rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups including indigenous peoples, with regard to access to basic services.

The second Call has been launched in the scope of the Non-State Actors and Local Authorities (NSA/LA) program with a budget of P283 million. It covers activities of Non-State Actors which contribute to improve the level of transparency, accountability, and performance of local government units (LGUs).

Through this financial support, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to poverty reduction in the Philippines in the context of sustainable development, including the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and other internationally agreed targets.