Addressing the issue of better EU co-operation with local authorities and civil society, this report looks at the effectiveness of partnerships between all players involved in developing decent work agendas, supporting sustainable and inclusive growth through state budgets, and promoting accountability. We have also strongly encouraged the active involvement of marginalised groups and women's organisations in dialogue on preparing policy and putting it into action. These are important factors in achieving the eradication of poverty and the other seven Millennium Development Goals.
We are very concerned about the Commission's proposal to limit financial support in service delivery just to civil society organisations working in the least developed countries and fragile states. We therefore underline the need to define and enforce the role of civil society organisations and local authorities in situations of crisis and fragility, using a human-rights based and gender-sensitive approach.