CONCORD is the European confederation of Relief and Development NGOs. We are made up of member organisations: 28 national associations, 20 international networks and 3 associate members that represent over 2,600 NGOs, supported by millions of citizens across Europe.

Our vision is of a world in which poverty and inequality have been ended; in which decisions are based on social justice, gender equality and upon our responsibility to future generations; where every person has the right to live in dignity, on an equal basis, free from poverty and sustainability.

CONCORD works to ensure that:

- The EU and member states are fully committed to and implement comprehensive and coherent policies towards the developing world that are based on the principles of solidarity, human rights, justice and democracy, and which aim to address the causes of poverty and conflict and promote sustainable economic and social development.

- The European NGDO movement is active and fully engaged in promoting EU policies that have a positive impact on developing countries and have the capacity to influence the direction of these policies.

- The role of the NGDOs is valued and protected as an authentic voice of European civil society that is engaged in issues of development and global justice.
CONCORD is the European confederation of Relief and Development NGOs. We are made up of member organisations: 28 national associations (in all 28 EU MS), 20 international networks and 3 associate members that represent over 2,600 NGOs, supported by millions of citizens across Europe. You can find the list of members here: http://www.concordeurope.org/members

The work of the Confederation is carried out by the members, coming together in different working groups and task forces depending on their experience. These groups feed the political debate and contribute towards improving the formulation of European policies affecting development co-operation and humanitarian aid.

One of such groups is the CONCORD-Beyond 2015 European task force, which is bringing together all European participating organisations in Beyond 2015. As stated in its Terms of Reference, the mandate of the European task force, led by its Steering Group, is threefold:

? to lead and support the organisation of events, national deliberations, or other activities aimed at developing a European civil society position on the post-2015 global agenda;

? to follow the main processes which may have an influence on the EU?s position on post-2015 such as the implementation of the provisions which, in the Agenda for Change or other official EU positions may relate to the post-2015 scenario;

? to coordinate efforts at the national and Brussels level in order to influence both the European Institutions and the Member States to agree on an official EU position on post-2015 that is in line with Beyond 2015 essential must-haves.

Currently, our priority is to build the political leadership to shift from policy to action. We work closely with both domestic and international CSOs as well as with decision-makers at regional and national level to reflect on how to best translate the post-2015 agenda to the European, EU and national level and what kind of monitoring and review mechanisms should be put in place to ensure accountability and involvement of European civil society and citizens.
At global level, CONCORD is actively involved in the Global Call to Action against Poverty, CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness, the Beyond 2015 campaign, the International Forum of NGO Platforms and action2015.

At European level, CONCORD is actively involved in the EU Civil Society Contact Group, the EU CSO group on International Development and the Spring Alliance.

CONCORD's member organisations are active in all 28 EU MS and many of the network members are active across the globe.

Firstly, CONCORD aims to influence the EU?s policies and practices so that the Union and its Member States enhance social justice, equality and human rights throughout the world. To influence policies and practices, CONCORD draws upon its Engagement Strategy with EU institutions to identify and target key decision makers as well as decision making bodies. This often means a wide-ranging approach that draws on the strength of CONCORD as a Confederation ? using National Platforms to push at national levels on EU issues, using Networks and Brussels-based organisations to push at the European level, and drawing on CONCORD?s good working relationships with the Development Committee of the EU Council, with Parliamentarians, and with key officials at different levels. Equally important is CONCORD?s use of the experience and expertise of its members and bringing this into policy discussions, and using other tools ? research, publications etc ? to influence policy.

Secondly, CONCORD defends and promotes the role, space and funding of CSOs. CSOs as development actors continue to face challenges related to the conditions required for their functioning. The space for civil society has been shrinking in many countries and the gap between political commitments and reality has increased. Several EU member states have drastically cut funding to NGDOs but legal and regulatory requirements are increasing. International solidarity has come under pressure and tendencies to instrumentalise development ? and development actors ? for other aims continue to be a major threat.

For 2014, CONCORD?s annual priorities are:
(1) The Europe we want - The European Parliament (EP) Elections & New set of commissioners
(2) Post 2015 & Financing for Development
(3) Strengthen Strategic Alliances and Partnerships and respond to the increasing demand on CSOs for an enabling environment
(4) Building on the political narrative to strengthen membership and to jointly develop Concord?s strategic plan 2016-2021

For CONCORD?s multi-annual strategy, please check the website: http://www.concordeurope.org/116-strategic-plan-2009-2015
YES - 2014_Annual_Report_for_membersCONCORD5.pdf CONCORD Board members:
Johannes Trimmel (Austrian National Platform) ? Austria
Laura Sullivan (ActionAid) ? Ireland
Marius Wanders (World Vision) ? Netherlands
Lars Bosselmann (CBM) ? Germany
Rudy de Meyer (11.11.11) ? Belgium
Marina Sarli (Fairtrade Hellas) ? Italy
Farah Nazeer (Bond) ? United Kingdom
Olivia Baciu (FOND Romania) ? Romania
Izabella Toth from CIDSE ? Hungary
Carlos Cabo from the Spanish National platform ? Spain


CONCORDNewStatutes-Officialversion-French-May20105.pdf