The purpose of the project is to improve the conditions and the role of NGOs active int the field of development and relief, i.e. development aid, democracy building, humanitarian aid in developing countries and global education in Poland.

The problems that need to be addressed are both at the financial and institutional level. Poland’s public development support programs funding remains relatively low, which translates into limited funds available for organizations applying for funding under the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs grant schemes. There is also insufficient capacity assistance and support for the organizations of that kind. There is also a surprisingly low level of obtaining EU funds by Polish organizations under the European Commission grant competitions related to development cooperation and humanitarian relief.

In the framework of the project, the Grupa Zagranica will monitor the implementation of the development cooperation policies (by publishing reports) and – by disseminating the reports from the monitoring – conduct advocacy (participation in public consultations, drafting recommendations, positions, interventions etc.) addressed to the national government and the parliament, as well as – at the European level and through CONCORD network – to the European Commission.

The framework for our monitoring and advocacy is primarily set by the government’s Multiannual Development Cooperation Program 2021-30, which – also thanks to the Group’s previous advocacy work – contains specific commitments regarding the shape of the Polish development cooperation system, including the frames of the cooperation with CSOs.

The expected outcome of the project will be the incorporation of the Group’s recommendations to the government administration and increased knowledge and involvement of the parliament in this area. We also hope to increase the presence of the topic of development cooperation in the public debate.