Development Cooperation of the Baltic States

Development Cooperation of the Baltic States October 2021 Vilnius

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© Lithuanian NGDO Platform Contact: Justina Kaluinaitė, justina@vbplatforma.org

Cover photo: Alessandra Caretto / Unsplash This statement is part of the projects #Agenda2030 funded by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Eurodad network capacity building funded by EC. The event and its contents are the sole responsibility of Lithuanian NGDO Platform and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union.

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Development Cooperation of the Baltic States A very long-awaited Baltic CSOs’ forum “The Development Cooperation of the Baltic States: Exchange Forum” took place on 13th October, 2021. The forum focused on building a roadmap for cooperation in the development, tackling and exchanging practices in specific areas, strengthening the partnership and national / individual organizational updates.

Introduction Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania initiated development cooperation as part of their European Union (EU) accession process. The pandemic, migration crisis, changes and challenges in main DC focus in The Eastern Partnership region, global inequality rise brought many experiences also for CSOs in development or humanitarian sectors. The three Baltic states are also in the process of forming a new development cooperation strategy, the fund and/or agencies. The situation today for us presents both an enormous challenge and extraordinary opportunity to build a roadmap for CSOs in development.

We invited the Baltic CSOs in development and humanitarian action and other partners to join us in tackling and looking deeper into 3 thematic areas:

Session 1 Migration and humanitarian action The Baltic states (especially Lithuania and Latvia) faced a challenging time as thousands of irregular migrants / asylum seekers came seeking support and asylum after the elections in Belarus in 2020 and the recent “channeling” of people via the Belarussian border. While the vulnerable people became an unacceptable instrument of politics, CSOs not only call for solidarity and support, but also have fastly adopted new knowledge, skills and competencies in assisting the people in need.

Key focus: migration, humanitarian assistance, integration, advocacy for human rights, research in migration and other related aspects we face daily.

Session 2 Financing for development: Bilateral ODA within MFA A lot of Baltic CSOs apply and receive funding for development cooperation or global education projects from national MFA. The financing for development within the Bilateral ODA has its own challenges of transparency, thematic fields or regions, and the framework for implementation. We focus on Bilateral aid relocation via MFA funding for CSOs and other DC actors. Also we all are in various processes establishing new DC agencies in Estonia (called Estaid) and Latvia, DC Fund, new DC strategy in Lithuania and there will be major systematic changes in the area of bilateral financing for DC in certain ways in all of the three countries.

Key focus: more CSO inclusive and transparent funding for CSOs and other DC actors within the MFA.

Session 3 Innovative and needs-based development projects The DC actions could focus on many needs for a partner country’s society. CSOs with partners seek to design and build actions to meet civil society and other sectors’ demands and trigger changes in the ways partners’ civil society can benefit from programs and tailored solutions. The build-up of capacities of implementing needs-based development cooperation projects also comes from sharing and exchange.

Key focus: building better-focused programs exchange the best innovative practices that address the needs. The session will also support and exchange views with new NGOs in development for setting up the programs.

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The joint CSOs statements, materials and reflections shared from the thematic session Session 1 migration / humanitarian action Reading materials and events 1. Recommended two NGO Mondo advocacy reports (1, 2) outlining and analysing human rights violations that took place in Belarus in 2021-22. If you wish to learn more about these studies or collaborate on relevant topics, please reach out at erika@mondo.org.ee.

2. An invitation to participate in the presentation of the “Study on best practices of humanitarian visas among EU and Schengen states”. The research was initiated by the Estonian Network of HIVpositive people (EHPV) in the framework of the Protection through Mobility: An Emergency Response to Hostility project; and conducted by Liina Laanpere and Prof. Lehte Roots. The presentation will take place on October 20th at 14:00 in EHPV office (Rävala pst 8, Tallinn, Estonia) and you can join both offline and online. In order to register, please fill out the following registration form.

3. UNHCR recommendations for the European Commissions`s proposed pact on migration and asylum.

Ideas and outputs from the session Adding Estonia to the shared advocacy actions now implemented by Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish NGOs. Process is messy and time consuming, but Estonia could add value to the process and outcome.

From the UNHCR perspective there is great potential for Baltic cooperation, and the Global Refugee Forum is a good place to start.

Many Baltic NGOs are in the hardcore phase of working with migration issues at this minute, but there is actually a great need in capacity building for them to deal effectively and efficient in the migration crisis. Especially since NGOs are supporting the governments. The question is, on how does the platform can support NGOs. There lays an opportunity to fund together a capacity building program. We could also be the bridge for NGOs to get to know each other and find opportunities to work closely together.

Baltic countries should establish sub-grantings for Belarussian NGOs to keep working for their society in/from Baltic diaspora.

There is not enough knowledge in NGOS on what is going on in advocacy at the EU level. First step for regional cooperation is to enter the info flow, for which establishing the Baltic roundtable is crucial.

Not all Baltic states work strategically in Africa, due there is no national strategy for that nor reliable partners due lack of experience. It is one of the things that can be learned from Estonian NGOs. There could be potential for Baltic cooperation projects funded by the EU.

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Session 2 MFA funding / ODA Systemic approach: Clear definition needed what is the ODA and it’s distribution principles needs to be defined at the national level.

Introduction of new priorities must be discussed with all stakeholders involved.

ODA must be based in the real needs of the partner countries not used as an ad hoc foreign policy instrument.

Monitoring of the impact of the ODA is required, initiative of the Estonia could be reviewed and might applied also to other Baltic countries.

Stakeholders: their needs and roles: Needs of NGOs are very different - for example, some might need co-financing for projects by international donors, some might need capacity building trips to partner countries for starting the partnerships. All needs to be identified and addressed.

All stakeholders must be recognized at the equal level. There is some frustration that the voice of NGOs is not heard in some countries. Even though exist very good practices of the involvement in the decision making processes at the highest level.

Coordination of diverse opinions and approaches is expected from MFAs. Multistakeholder projects as compulsory approach to the more effective bilateral ODA could be defined.

The lack of the political responsibility for ODA is observed in some countries.

Restricted calls: Even though there are cases when cooperation with the strategic partners could be justified, for example, humanitarian or highly strategic interventions, the process must be transparent and accountable.

Reduced bureaucracy of the restricted calls is evaluated positively and should be applied also to other instruments of bilateral aid.

It is not supported that the programs are designed for the specific partners reducing possibilities for new projects and new partnerships for other organisations, especially in the times of low availability of resources.

Unclear procedures diminish the interest of the private sector to get involved as the costs and investments cannot be forecasted.

Unclear procedures and lack of transparency, financing of the same organisations reduce the interest of other organisations and has very negative impact on the further development of active NGOs.

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Session 3 Innovation / Needs assessment / Impact DC of the Baltic States (innovative and needs-based projects) - Google Jamboard How do we understand innovations?

All participants agreed that innovation do not necessarily need to be digital.

The understanding of innovations also depends very much on a local/national context.

How can we define the needs for our projects?

Building strong partnerships via mutual learning and working visits prior to project proposals and implementation.

Having a strong local partner is crucial to identifying the needs on the ground.

What are the obstacles to meet the real needs through DC projects?

Lack of meaningful engagement and exposure to the reality of partner countries context.

Mindset - Having the assumption that our solutions (to our problems) are easily transferable to other contexts without contextualising them.

Projects are not always sustainable, as the follow up is lacking sometimes.

Need to open many doors.

Solutions to deal with occurring obstacles: Projects should be more long term with a follow up strategy to make them more sustainable.

Help the Baltics to identify partners from LICs and MICs and facilitate the partnerships by creating a database of stakeholders (stakeholders from the private and third sector) from LICs and MICs interested in collaborating with the Baltics.

More coherent understanding of how to bring private sector aboard and implement DC projects jointly. Create concrete tools and advisory for private sector to join.

How can we measure impact of our projects?

Sustainability of results - if they are still being used, this is an indication of the positive impact.

How many doors did we manage to open?

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National development cooperation, global education, humanitarian action updates from Baltic states National Platform: Lithuanian NGDO Platform / Vystomojo bendradarbiavimo platforma www.vbplatforma.org VystomojoBendradarbiavimoPlatforma Short intro: is an association uniting organizations working in the field of development cooperation (DP) from Lithuania. Currently the Lithuanian NGDO Platform has 21 members. The Lithuanian NGDO Platform was established in 2007. We represent non-governmental development cooperation organisations in Lithuania, the European Union (EU) and other international organisations, and we are actively involved in the formulation and implementation of the EU-Lithuania Development Cooperation Policy. We strengthen NGO networking, transnational partnerships, perform monitoring and advocacy, contribute to policy development, exchange of good practice and cross-sectoral activities.

The Lithuanian Law on Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, originally was adopted in 2013 and updated in 2016 and the recently in 2020. The 2020 amendments to the law included, hopefully, more flexible, responsive and results-oriented delivery of bilateral aid by establishing a special fund – Lithuanian DC and humanitarian assistance fund. The aim of this fund is to enable environment to implement projects and programs in more flexible and results-oriented way. During the preparation of regulations and amendments for the creation of the Fund Lithuanian NGDO Platform was consulted and suggestions taken into account. Currently, in 2021, the regulations for administration of the fund, formation of the board took place in line with creation of DC and humanitarian assistance regional and thematic priorities, including the partnership of various DC agents, enabling environment and country specific strategies. The working group on the geographic and strategic priorities were formed by Lithuanian MFA and only consisted of decision-makers. The other DC actors and partners were included in consultation both virtual sessions and updates on the document versions. While the strategic documents are still in process as now the October 2021 we cannot comment on the future strategy.

Lithuania provided USD 67 million (preliminary data)1 representing 0.12% of gross national income (GNI) in 2020. This was a decrease of 3.8% in real terms in volume and down from 0.13% of GNI in 2019. The government has committed to strive to achieve a 0.33% ODA/GNI ratio by 2030. Total ODA on a grant-equivalent basis has the same value as net ODA under the cash-flow methodology used in the past, as Lithuania provides only grants.

On 12 January, the Ambassador Audra Plepytė, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations, was elected as the President of the Bureau of the Executive Board of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Lithuanians stood in a 35,000-strong human chain stretching 34 km (21 miles) from central Vilnius to the Belarus border on August 23, 2020 as one of the solidarity actions for the Belarusian society.

Since the 2020 August, Lithuanian capital has become a hub for the Belarusian opposition. Many Belarusians fled over the border to neighboring Lithuania and sought humanitarian protection, but this doesn’t necessarily guarantee peace of mind. Lithuania has granted the Belarusian prodemocratic opposition led by Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya official status in the EU country. Nongovernmental organizations from legal consultations, to humanitarian assistance, to social emotional and other aspects also took place in supporting and still partnering with the Belarusian citizens in Lithuania.

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https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/5d646dd8-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/5d646dd8-en

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Lithuania already allocated more approx. EUR 1.4 million for humanitarian aid in 2020.

2020 the new Global education was selected - Lithuanian centre of non-formal youth education by the Minister of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania. No further actions were taken in developing the concept of global education or the strategy of global education. Lithuanian NGDO Platform sent two request for strategic planning for Global education, never received a detail explanation of further strategies in reply in written. The global education still stays on initiatives of non-governmental education organizations, UNESCO network of schools, and educators.

The Lithuanian NGDO Platform still continued its Expert volunteer program during the pandemic.

In 2020 we sent volunteer to Armenia on humanitarian assistance support, in 2021 continued partnership with Armenia among the Lithuanian and Armenian Red Cross, Jordan on situation on integration of migrants. Also implemented to ESC program with two youth volunteers to Jordan, currently 2 people are still volunteering in Lebanon.

For global education activities we successfully continue the local based actions “SDGs Ambassadors”.

The political statements on formation of the Fund, strategic and geographic priorities, implementation of DC actions, global education is a continuous focus of the Platform. The high priority also includes the capacity building of member organizations and cross sectoral cooperation.

National Platform: Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation (AKÜ) Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation www.terveilm.ee/leht/english/ terveilm Short intro: AKÜ is a platform of 34 Estonian NGOs and CSOs that work in the field of development cooperation and humanitarian aid, sustainable development and global citizenship education. AKÜ is a strategic partner for Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as for the Government Office as an expert of the focus areas as well as well as a representative of civil society on Commission or Development Cooperation at the ministry and on Commission for Sustainable Development at Government Office. AKÜs work stands on three pillars: advocating, networking and awareness rising to achieve more impactful cooperation for development, coherent policies for sustainable development and public support for and reputation of Estonian development cooperation in different destination countries.

Estonian Centre for International Development – ESTDEV – will implement national DC strategies from January 1 st , 2022. Changes in development legislation made in late 2021 due ESTDEV. New impact assessment framework for DC and GCE since late 2020 for more strategic approach in DC. African regional strategy published in early 2021 with focus on healthcare, education, security and supporting the business environment. Renewed strategies for DC in eastern partnership counties (Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine) with focus on building democracy and good governance and supporting the business environment.

In 2020, Estonia contributed to DC and provided humanitarian aid accordingly with 43.3 million euros, representing 0.16% of GNI. Bilateral cooperation amounted to € 13.9 million and multilateral to € 29.4 million Estonia conducts bilateral development cooperation mainly with countries for which we can provide have our own added value based on experience. As in previous years, Estonia was contributing to Afghanistan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus mainly through bilateral projects. The priorities of Estonian development cooperation are the development of democracy,

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good governance, peace and stability as well as supporting civil society, equality education, economic development and healthcare development. In all these areas, Estonia is trying to implement digital solutions and e-government capabilities. In addition, Estonia considers it important to follow in development cooperation human rights, gender equality and environmental sustainability.

Separately, Estonia wants to raise the awareness of the Estonian wider public, especially young people, about development cooperation and humanitarian aid and global development challenges.

Communication plays an important role also in NGOs working on development issues. Cooperation with international organizations enables Estonia to help the poorest countries that would be difficult to do bilaterally. Cooperation between different Estonian countries is important Thanks to ongoing reforms in development policy, rapid changes are anticipated from the second half of 2021. In July 2021, ESTDEV was established, marking the start of a new era in the country’s approach to development cooperation. Taking over an administrative role from the MFA, the new Centre will become the coordinator and funder of Estonia’s development cooperation. Owing to the newness of the centre, however, it is expected that a period of adjustment will be required before it begins to operate with full effectiveness. In addition to the founding of the Development Centre, development legislation will be amended in 2021. Administrative changes will be made, and a new structure for funding and partnerships is being introduced. In 2022 the MFA will start multi-year strategic financing for CSOs, moving on from strictly project-based funding. This will give partners more flexibility and financial security and will have a greater impact for beneficiaries in partner countries. Additionally, the MFA will introduce a new civil society capacity-building framework, to ensure the sustainability of Estonia’s development cooperation and allow more CSOs to engage in development activities.

Humanitarian aid was provided in 2020 for € 3.7 million. Most of Estonia's humanitarian aid allocated to support Ukraine (€ 1.1 million). Humanitarian aid focuses of reducing human suffering and ensure a dignified life. Estonia supports humanitarian innovation to find solutions to disasters prevention Humanitarian aid is delivered based on specific needs. In 2021 supporting Afghanistan through Red Cross with 50 000 euros. For Covid 19 mitigation. 400 000 doses of vaccines were sent to Sub-Sahara.

Based on recommendations in Gene Network national peer review, National platform of GCE was established and led by MFA in 2020 but is rather passive in 2021 due other national priorities.

A good example of policy making and inter-sectoral cooperation in Estonian development cooperation was designing COVID-response policies in mid 2020. After the initial step of freezing or postponing all development plans, the MFA initiated a continuous cross-sectoral dialogue to determine the best ways to support partner countries. Through numerous multilateral meetings and policy documents, we were able to work out appropriate COVID-related measures together and design new funding calls that would best address the needs of our partner countries.

After the rise of Belarus crisis, MFA asked AKÜ for ideas on how to support Belarus trough DC. AKÜ gathered input from members and Belarussian diaspora in Estonia and forwarded a policy document with several recommendations to MFA. Document had enough power to be basis for future grants designed by MFA. Achieving evacuation of DC partners from Kabul in 2021. AKÜs member NGO Mondo got a chance to create sand forward a shortlist with names on local partners working with Estonia on fields of education and empowering women. AKÜ boosted up the messages by reaching personally minister and chairman of Parliaments Commission for Foreign Affairs as well as had a public media campaign on the topic. National based current prior statement due to ongoing process (shortly).

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Development Cooperation of the Baltic States

October 2021 Vilnius

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