Along with a coalition of CSOs CAN Europe has set out recommendations to ensure that lessons are learnt from other investment initiatives at the multilateral and European level; both the positive examples of careful, evidence-led work and negative, long-term damaging examples of hastily established funds.
As negotiations progress, we would like to ensure that the following elements are key parts of the final EFSD:
1. Ensure full transparency and accountability including via a scoreboard of indicators;
2. Establish an EU centralised Grievance Mechanism for affected local communities;
3. Include an Exclusion List to ensure that climate, environmental and social standards are respected;
4. Ensure that the EFSD objectives reflect a Sustainable Development Theory of Change.
Our insistence on the above is based on the rationale that they are needed to ensure that these investments leave no one behind, reduce poverty and inequality, and contribute to the SDGs. In no way should beneficiaries be given flexibility because investments take place outside of Europe – the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and human rights are universal.
The following document provides the recommendations in full.