You never know with life. Last week was a total defeat while this week was glorious. I got both the European Commission and United Nations.
After two years of attempts, my proposal has been accepted: the first ever civil society working group on the reform of European funding has been established within the European Active Citizenship Group, DG EAC. the working grop will look at
1) which financial procedures can be improved within the actual financial regulation
2) which changes have to be prioritized for the next financial regulation with the review to start next year
3) a more strategic use of European funding. The EU is the largest donor in the world – roughly €50bn a year – so it can play a pivotal role in helping citizens and civil society, not just banks, to get through the crisis (without mentioning the reputational benefits).
I feel like pioneering a revolution within the European process that could lead to radical change to make funding work for civil society in Europe and worldwide, and brockering a new deal between the European institutions and citizens. Don’t stop reading my blog if you want to see the end.
We won’t miss the opportunity to collect stories from across Europe – so be in touch.
But the EC wasn’t enough. We got the confirmation that the UN Fund for Democracy (UNDEF) will support our civil society leadership development in Ukraine and Moldova. Ban Ki-moon had to intervene and change our proposal because Lukashenko complained and didn’t want us to get into his lovely Belarus. Ok, it means we have to wait a bit longer.
However, these achievements couldn’t have been possbile without the collaboration of many people. I must mention at least Cecile – she is a European official – who helped us to comply with aracana imperi of Brussels. Who said that Brussels officials aren’t accessible! I would say the contrary. But you must learn the language – i.e. a sort of Egyptian. The other one is Benny – little wanker – who spent New Years Eve writing the proposal for UNDEF. OK, he didn’t have anything better to do than… his usual sport. Moreover, he had a broken leg . He pissed off Jesus so he got punished. At this point I should thank Jenna, Hanneke, Maria, Jakob, Emmeline, Rita, Stephen, Adelina, Papa, Mamma and Jesus but I don’t want to sound pretentious and stop here.
That’s it. It was great. Nothing more to add. Good night!
