This document summarizes the Czech DE/AR campaigns in 2007 and outlines the main challenges facing the Czech Forum for Development Co-operation (FoRS) platform in 2008. It discusses the success of Czech NGOs in securing European Commission funding in 2006 and increased funding from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also describes the key campaigns in 2007 like Czechia Against Poverty and challenges for FoRS in 2008, including working more closely with member organizations, strengthening policy work, and responding to the transformation of the Czech development cooperation system.

1. Czech DE/AR Campaigns in 2007
and National Platform in 2008
FoRS - Czech Forum for Development Co-operation
Presented by: Jana Krczmářová, FoRS

2. T opics for today
► Czech DE/AR campaigns in 2007
► The main challenges facing FoRS platform for 2008
FoRS - Czech Forum for Development Co-operation www.fors.cz

3. C zech DE/AR year 2007
► Success of Czech/FoRS NGOs in EC calls 2006 for DE/AR
► 19 concept notes out of 136 from NMS with a Czech
subject.
► 5 out of 5 Czech concept notes selected for full
application round - 100% success rate as the only in EU ☺
► 3 + 1 full project received EC support
► MFA support for DE/AR NGO project increased again…
► 2004 - 1,9 mil. CZK (73 000 EUR) for 5 projects
► 2008 - 20,1 mil. CZK CZK (773 000 EUR) for 26 projects
capacity building, DE/AR, support of platforms
► All together - about 8 mil. CZK goes directly to DE/AR
projects (incl. EC co-financing budget line)
► Czech ODA system transformation started with establishment
of Czech Development Agency.
FoRS - Czech Forum for Development Co-operation www.fors.cz

4. K ey Campaigns in 2007
► Czechia Against poverty
► Coalition of more than 36 NGOs, mainly national platform
► Turning into 3rd year - evolution of the common work
► Strong link to the GCAP campaign
► Other project of DE/AR
► Virus Free Generation, Stop the Child Labor
► Fair Trade and responsibility consumption campaigns
► GLEN project + Football for Development
► Czech national DE projects - more than 35 together - main
organisations: ARPOK, ADRA, People in Need, Society for
Fair trade and DE, INEX-SDA, Caritas.
FoRS - Czech Forum for Development Co-operation www.fors.cz

5. C zechia against poverty 2007
► Wide coalition of NGOs - searching for synergies with others
(Climate coalition, Fair Trade, UN…)
► Link to policy work of FoRS - joint requirements for ODA
transformation and ODA/GNI levels of funding (e.g. MDG debate
in Parliament).
► Strong volunteers base - 2 881 volunteers, 3 654 active contacts
► Information materials and activities for different target groups
- „campaign branding“
► Street actions during Days against Poverty in 30 places in 22
Czech towns - about 40 000 people attending campaign stands
► New tools - „cards“ of what to do for MGDs as individuals,
companies, citizens, politicians and „don‘ts“
► Strong media presence - new TV spot, advertising, website
FoRS - Czech Forum for Development Co-operation www.fors.cz

6. C zechia against poverty - Success and Lessons Learned
► Be cooperative and open - new organisations, non-
development coalitions
► Get back to the „basics“ of development issues before
searching public support for pursuing more complex ODA
changes
► Offer very concrete solutions for different groups - from
individuals to companies and politicians
► Have participatory / team way of implementation with 1 lead
coordinator, have time for joint strategy planning and evaluation
► Link to policy and support advocacy work of the platform
► MFA finance for AR, but not for policy and advocacy!
► Be friendly… personal approach and friendship in the team
FoRS - Czech Forum for Development Co-operation www.fors.cz

7. C hallenges for FoRS in 2008 - Internal
► Work with and for members
► 2003 - 15 NGOs x 2008 - 28 full members + 12 observers
► Large potential as well as need for getting them involved
and better quality of „service“
► Continuing capacity building - move from PCM to more
specific trainings (e.g. financial management, tax and legal
frames, facilitation…)
► More structured policy work
► Capacity building of FoRS + members for policy and
advocacy, Policy Officer position in FoRS
► Strategic and policy priorities planning
► Understanding actual EU development policy issues and
the Czech role in it.
FoRS - Czech Forum for Development Co-operation www.fors.cz

8. C hallenges for FoRS in 2008 - External
► Transformation of the Czech ODA system
► Instant participation of FoRS in key processes at inter-
ministerial and MFA levels
► Preparation of the new law on the devel. cooperation
► Pressure on increasing ODA/GNI levels
► Evaluation and new programming 2011-2015
► Preparation for Czech EU Presidency in 2009
► Aid Effectiveness and Good Governance as FoRS
thematic priorities
► Ability to increase synergies and cooperation with non-
development coalition
► Presidency only as a tool for strategic priorities
► New European cooperation in post-presidency
► GENE Peer Review on DE in CZ
FoRS - Czech Forum for Development Co-operation www.fors.cz

9. I nteresting Links and Contact
► Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs - www.mzv.cz/pomoc
► Czech Development Agency - www.rozvojovestredisko.cz
► Campaign Czechia against Poverty - www.ceskoprotichudobe.cz
► Information on development issues - www.rozvojovka.cz
► Please, contact us at FoRS Secretariat
Bělehradská 92, 120 00 Praha 2
Tel.: (+420) 777 756 700 , 222 522 480
Jana Krczmářová (Director) - sekretariat@fors.cz
Jana Malkrabová (Assistant) - asistent@fors.cz
Executive Board - czech.fors@fors.cz
► www.fors.cz
FoRS - Czech Forum for Development Co-operation www.fors.cz