Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Background

Three dimensions of social change have hit Central and Eastern Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989: from planned economy towards market economy, from one-party rule towards pluralistic democracy and from colonial rule to independent states. Each of these transitional processes may very well be well-known social processes that have affected other regions of the world before. But it is unprecedented in history that each and all of these three transitions begin to affect an entire region within such a short time span (two to three years). This constitutes the historic crisis which most of Central and Eastern Europe is experiencing now and which the Aprodev agencies and partners strive to respond to.
In all 3 regions, APRODEV aims at fostering:

• Capacity Building and Empowerment of partner organizations and local communities;
• Cooperation among partners;
• Networking and Advocacy on development issues;
• Gender and Development;
• Policy Dialogue on development issues

Working Group

With the creation of the Working Group on Central and Eastern Europe APRODEV wants to develop the capacity building and potentials of its partners in Central and Eastern Europe for joint projects and activities related to development, social, emergency and humanitarian issues.

Geographical scope

The APRODEV Working Group on Central and Eastern Europe consists of Europe Desk officers of most APRODEV member agencies. The thematic and geographical scope of the CEE Working Group will primarily focus on Central and Eastern Europe, including the Commonwealth of Independent States of Central Asia. Partners emphasize a long-term approach based on the strengthening of local capacity, which encompasses food security, primary health care and poverty alleviation, according to the local context. In all cases partners are committed to the organizational development and capacity building of churches, ecumenical agencies, NGOs and other organizations involved in cooperation.

Target Audience

Special emphasis is given to the direct and active involvement of specific groups in development co-operation, depending on the context: the marginalized and excluded, women and children, victims of conflict situations and the uprooted.