Background
The Cotonou Agreement The Cotonou Agreement, or ‘Partnership Agreement between the Members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the One Part and the European Community and its Members States of the Other Part’, was signed on 23 June 2000 in Cotonou, Benin. Set to run for a twenty year period, the Agreement came into force in April 2003. The agreement’s focal point is poverty reduction. It encourages the creation of social and economic conditions that allow for greater equity and improve the livelihoods of the poor. One of the innovative features of the Cotonou Agreement is the emphasis put on the cooperation and participation of civil society in the development process. The agreement stipulates that civil society organisations should be consulted in the programming process and that 15% of all funding in ACP countries is allocated to civil society organisations. The Gambia is among the signatory countries to the agreement. Article 4 of the Cotonou Agreement states that: Non State Actors should be involved in the implementation of programmes and policy dialogue as well as being provided with the financial resources to build their capacity. This approach to development is reflected in how the Non State Actors Strengthening Programme is structured and implemented. |
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SOFRECO SOFRECO is a leading company in consultancy and technical assistance for sustainable economic and social development. Using tested and approved products, methodologies and tools it provides quality services with tangible results. SOFRECO's priority is to ensure that the beneficiaries accept and adopt these results, through flexible, practical and adapted solutions, and to create a dynamic of participative, lasting change in a multitude of sectors and countries throughout the world. This dynamic aims to develop expertise and lead to the better allocation and management of available resources. Sofreco practices three complementary professions: consultancy, engineering and training. Constantly expanding, SOFRECO has carried out more than 1100 assignments in over 130 countries in Western and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Turkey, the Caucasus, North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East and South Africa, Central and South Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific, in close collaboration with institutional beneficiaries, the private sector and civil society. SOFRECO provides solutions to the specific needs of each project, taking into account best practices and efficient use of aid. |