European Neighbourhood Working Group
The European Neighbourhood Working Group (ENWG) is the new form of the former East Europe and Central Asia Working Group (EECAWG) with a new focus and Terms of Reference adopted following an inaugural meeting on 12 September 2006.
ENWG brings together UK NGOs working in, or concerned with, the regions of the Western Balkans and the Commonwealth of Independent States, which are outside the current membership of the European Union, providing a forum to share experiences and discuss programme and advocacy issues.
ENWG holds open meetings three times a year. These are informal opportunities to network at which a wide range of themes are discussed. In addition, members initiate meetings on specific topics and, as appropriate, generate associated policy papers and advocacy strategies.
The Working Group has a nominated Steering Committee which plans future meetings and group co-ordination. The current composition of the committee is as follows: Mark Chadwick (Chair), Mercy Corps; Oscar Franklin, Age Concern; Angela Kellett, World Vision; Ben Simms, Sue Ryder International; Lewis Temple, HelpAge International. Representatives from BOND member organisaitons are very welcome to join the Steering Committee upon the agreement of the existing committee members.
Meetings are open to all interested BOND member agencies. Contact the Engagement and Participation Unit at BOND groups@bond.org.uk to express interest in attending.
Group News
The focus of the next meeting will be on Kosovo, around the issue of promoting engagement of the new EULEX mission with civil society organisations.
Meeting - 5 February 2008
ENWG last met on 5 February at the BOND offices about regional advocacy initiatives and improving our advocacy engagement with the EC.
ENWG Matrix of Activities (November 2007)
ENWG members have provided information about their organisation's activities for this ENWG activity matrix.
Matrix of ENWG activities (pdf, 15KB)
The matrix should be useful both for helping agencies identify which other UK based NGOs are engaged in similar sectors and countries, and also to help the group identify sectoral or geographic themes for ENWG meetings which correspond more closely to the interests of the group.
It is not too late to add information about your organisation, if you haven't yet! Just email the information with your organisation's details to Mark at mchadwick@uk.mercycorps.org and we will periodically update this.
Meeting - 26 April 2007
The last group meeting took place on 26 April 2007 to discuss with DFID the implementation of the Central Asia, South Caucasus and Moldova Regional Assistance Plan 2004-2007. The text of the RAP can be found on DFID's website. The minutes will be available here shortly.
Meeting - 21 November 2006
Th group met on 21 November 2006 to discuss Localisation. Please see the summary of the 21 November meeting for more information.
Meeting - 12 September 2006
A meeting on 12 September 2006 discussed the new ENWG Terms of Reference, the composition of the steering committee and election of a new Chair and focuses for potential upcoming meetings. Please see the minutes of the 12 September meeting for more details.
Meeting - 11 July 2006
The EECAWG met on 11 July 2006 to discuss whether it was necessary to reframe EECAWG in the light of the changing environment in the region and the changing form of UK NGO assistance to the region. A new name for the Group was suggested - the European Neighbourhood Working Group (ENWG). For more information please see the minutes of the 11 July 2006 meeting.
Meeting - 6 February 2006
The Steering Committee held an open meeting on 6 February 2006, to discuss possible future thematic meetings and ways to take the Group forward. Some suggestions for future discussions included child rights, pre-accession and social inclusion, and women's policital participation. The Group recently wrote to the Russian Embassy, in an attempt to influence recent legislation regarding Duma, and the meeting also covered an update of this.
Meeting - 16 May 2005
The last open meeting of EECAWG took place on 16 May 2005 at Save the Children. The meeting focused on exit strategies - past and planned. The Group looked at a number of case studies, using them to arrive at a common understanding of how exit strategies can be managed in ways which deliver on our core mission in the region. Access summary of the meeting: Exit Strategies - Reflections on Practice (pdf, 105KB).
Future Meetings
Details of the next meeting will be available here shortly.
Membership of the European Neighbourhood Working Group is open to all BOND members. If you are from a BOND member organisation and would like to be added to the ENWG mailing list, please email groups@bond.org.uk.
Papers and Reports
Localisation Lessons Learned (pdf, 30KB), summary of the 'Localisation' meeting, November 2006.
Strengthening pro-poor work in Central/Eastern Europe & Central Asia (pdf, 140KB), produced after the 'Understanding and tackling poverty in East Europe and Central Asia' meeting, July 2004.
Exit Strategies - Reflections on Practice (pdf, 105KB), summary of EECAWG meeting May 2005