ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the schism between Northern non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Southern civil society organisations that has emerged over the past two decades. It evaluates the role of European NGOs in European Union (EU) development policy, focusing on their advocacy and implementing functions. The chapter concentrates on the debate that preceded and followed the Communication on participation of non-state actors adopted by the European Commission in November 2002. It describes that if European non-governmental organisations want to be relevant in EU development policy they must re-discuss, if not re-invent, their role. The European Commission, following criticism from the Council and the Parliament, both of which came under great pressure from the NGOs, has accepted to introduce a form of derogation for the co-financing budget line. The co-financing budget line was established in 1976. It was initially reserved exclusively for European NGOs, which were required to work in partnership with NGOs in the South.
