The ACP Local Government Platform - ACPLGP Strategies to improve knowledge sharing and communication in ACP-EU cooperation Brussels, 6 June 2007

The ACPLGP Platform Umbrella organisation formally established in May 2001 by mayors and representatives of existing local government associations across the ACP countries. The revised Cotonou Agreement 2005 clearly recognises local government as key actor of development

Umbrella organisation formally established in May 2001 by mayors and representatives of existing local government associations across the ACP countries.

The revised Cotonou Agreement 2005 clearly recognises local government as key actor of development

The members of the Platform All local governments in ACP countries represented by: United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA) Pacific associations of Local Governments Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) and its members in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific

All local governments in ACP countries represented by:

United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA)

Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA)

Pacific associations of Local Governments

Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) and its members in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific

The Platform mission To enhance the role of local government in the programming, formulation, implementation and review of cooperation strategies and programmes supported under the Cotonou Agreement.

To enhance the role of local government in the programming, formulation, implementation and review of cooperation strategies and programmes supported under the Cotonou Agreement.

Three main roles Representation and advocacy Information and networking services Technical support: Helpdesk

Representation and advocacy

Information and networking services

Technical support: Helpdesk

Information and Networking: Activities Quarterly newsletter (electronic / hard copy) General and individual emails, tel, fax, letters Website & link with the members website Regional seminar on the Cotonou Agreement LG users guide on the Cotonou Agreement & other publications Attending meetings (ex: Africities) Visit to LG actors and national association in the field Visit/contact the EC Delegations

Quarterly newsletter (electronic / hard copy)

General and individual emails, tel, fax, letters

Website & link with the members website

Regional seminar on the Cotonou Agreement

LG users guide on the Cotonou Agreement & other publications

Attending meetings (ex: Africities)

Visit to LG actors and national association in the field

Visit/contact the EC Delegations

Information and Networking: Content Cotonou Agreement: 10 th EDF process: Country Strategy Paper (CSP) & National Indicative Programme (NIP) – useful site: Eurostep EC aid programming website: http://www.acp-programming.eu/wcm/index.php?option = com_content&task = section&id =24&Itemid=177 ‘ Non state actors & Local authorities in development’ thematic programme ACP-EU Facilities (Water, Energy, etc.)

Cotonou Agreement: 10 th EDF process: Country Strategy Paper (CSP) & National Indicative Programme (NIP) – useful site: Eurostep EC aid programming website: http://www.acp-programming.eu/wcm/index.php?option = com_content&task = section&id =24&Itemid=177

‘ Non state actors & Local authorities in development’ thematic programme

ACP-EU Facilities (Water, Energy, etc.)

Information and Networking: Sources ACPLGP members newsletter ECDPM: ACP-EU news weekly alert; EU-Africa e-alert; EuropAfrica bulletin DG-Dev: E-courrier, meeting, direct contact EuropeAid: meeting, direct contact CTA Brussels office newsletter Eurostep weekly news Euforic Bulletin Cotonou

ACPLGP members newsletter

ECDPM: ACP-EU news weekly alert; EU-Africa e-alert; EuropAfrica bulletin

DG-Dev: E-courrier, meeting, direct contact

EuropeAid: meeting, direct contact

CTA Brussels office newsletter

Eurostep weekly news

Euforic

Bulletin Cotonou

Information and Networking: Recipient and Purpose ACP Local Governments, EC (DG-Dev & EuropeAid), EP, JPA, ACP Secretariat, CSO, partner To promote ACP Local Governments role in the ACP-EU cooperation process: to be involved in the dialogue between National Authorising Officer (NAO) and the EC Delegation on the 10 th EDF exercise: programming, formulation, implementation and evaluation of programmes and strategies.

ACP Local Governments, EC (DG-Dev & EuropeAid), EP, JPA, ACP Secretariat, CSO, partner

To promote ACP Local Governments role in the ACP-EU cooperation process: to be involved in the dialogue between National Authorising Officer (NAO) and the EC Delegation on the 10 th EDF exercise: programming, formulation, implementation and evaluation of programmes and strategies.

Information and Networking: Impact so far The Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ): Early 2006: beginning of 10 th EDF programming, Platform advised ACP LGs to enter in contact with NAO/Delegation LGAZ reported to the Platform negative response from NAO Platform contacted EC HQ (DG-Dev & EuropeAid) + ACP Secretariat EC Delegation organised a meeting with LGAZ & NAO and agreed various points LGAZ now fully involved in the process; comment the CSP Some LG associations contacted the Platform to get similar assistance

The Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ):

Early 2006: beginning of 10 th EDF programming, Platform advised ACP LGs to enter in contact with NAO/Delegation

LGAZ reported to the Platform negative response from NAO

Platform contacted EC HQ (DG-Dev & EuropeAid) + ACP Secretariat

EC Delegation organised a meeting with LGAZ & NAO and agreed various points

LGAZ now fully involved in the process; comment the CSP

Some LG associations contacted the Platform to get similar assistance

Information and Networking: Challenges/Opportunities Very few LGs are involved in ACP-EU coop process Civil society & LG joint lobbying to enter in contact with NAO/Delegation and be involved in the 10 th EDF exercise (formulation phase) European CSO to advise their ACP partner NSA & LG thematic programme: joint project? Civil society & LG exchange information and knowledge and know how

Very few LGs are involved in ACP-EU coop process

Civil society & LG joint lobbying to enter in contact with NAO/Delegation and be involved in the 10 th EDF exercise (formulation phase)

European CSO to advise their ACP partner

NSA & LG thematic programme: joint project?

Civil society & LG exchange information and knowledge and know how