Lost in Transition?King Baudouin Foundation: 10 years of funding civil society and democracy promotion in the Balkans

Brussels 22 November 2011

Mission

• Independent, pluralistic public benefit foundation• Founded in 1976• Pursuing sustainable ways to foster:

- justice

- democracy

- respect for diversity

Working together for a better society

Activity domains • Poverty

• Democracy

• Heritage

• Philanthropy

• Health

• Leadership

• Local

engagement

• Migration

• Development

Two phases

> 2000-2003: Strengthening the civil society

- small grants at grass-roots level- support to community-based projects- co-funding by US donors- implementation by local partners

> Since 2004: Bringing the Balkans closer to the European Union

- From civil society development to EU integration - “strategic” grant making and advocacy- working with governments

Democracy in the Balkans

• Minority rights (until 2009)

• Student mobility

• Assisting the victims of human trafficking

• European integration: - European Policy Centre

- European Fund for the

Balkans

General principles

> Long-term commitment and long project cycles

> « Niche » projects vs. broad programmes

> Linking the various levels (local, national, regional, European)

> Advocacy to the EU (use our presence in Brussels) and in the countries of the region

> Partnerships and co-funding

The impact of EU integration on civil society development and democracy promotion

> Before 2004 in Central and Eastern Europe

• US donors moving East• Long-term exit strategies: in trusts we trust• Financial sustainability: NGO darwinism? • Changing paradigms• Resurgence of State’s influence• Need for a meaningful dialogue and new forms

of relationship

The impact of EU integration on civil society development and democracy promotion

After 2004 in the Balkans

• The unfinished business of a double transition• Clear EU accession perspective• From civil society development to democracy

promotion• Overcoming isolation and individualistic agendas• The Member State building strategy:

- The International Commission on the Balkans- The European Fund for the Balkans

Thank you for your attention

dekerchove.f@kbs-frb.be

www.kbs-frb.be