The projects form the core of the reform of "Education for Global Citizenship" (or ECM), which was presented in March 2024. Conventions have now been signed with the Non governmental organisations (NGO).
The reform aims to introduce more effective and coordinated awareness-raising, for example in schools, on the topic of development aid. Since its announcement two years ago it has caused quite a stir in the sector. Funding from the Ministry of Cooperation is now only available if the non-profit organisations form consortia. The director of the Fondation Partage Luxembourg, Denise Richard, explains what effect this has on a charity's work:
"It changed it in a sense, so when you put more heads together, you become more innovative, ideas suddenly come, it becomes more dynamic, we actually find that very positive."
Charities had previously cooperated, but only for individual actions. Nicole Ikuku, director of the NGO Cooperation Circle, sees the new approach as positive:
"This time it's different because they're not just planning actions together, but planning programmes together, not for three years, as used to be the case, but for five years now, and that's brilliant, to (be able to) know a projection in advance of where we're going and going together."
Cooperation minister Xavier Bettel says the reform is in line with international cooperation within charities:
"That's why this is the moment when I'm really satisfied that we've succeeded. It wasn't easy at first, you'll also hear some people say they were sceptical, but I think that through the collaboration with my colleagues in the ministry, we've managed to do something really positive, where the results will also be visible."
A "Maison des ONGD" is planned to open in the capital's Gare district at the end of the year.
