11 Amendments of Beatrix von STORCH related to 2015/2345(INI)
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that the EU should stop funding global operational costs that can be up to 80% of an NGO's global budget, because this controversial funding distorts the principle of equal opportunities between NGOs; recalls that so-called "operating grants" are not linked to any specific project or activity of the receiving NGO but can be freely used to pay salaries, office rent and telephone costs, travel expenses etc.;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Invites the competent national authorities to verify if an NGO can keep its legal status as "non-governmental" or "registered association" if its annual budget is funded by more than 50% through public funds (i.e. local, regional or national authorities; a foreign government; or the EU);
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the Commission to build a central database outlining NGO funding and results, and to make any data secure that might endanger NGO actors;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. In implementing the specific Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) prohibition on coercion or compulsion in sexual and reproductive health matters and with regard to international legally binding human rights instruments, the EU community acquis as well as the policy competencies in this matter, Union funding should not be provided to any NGO which promotes, supports, or participates in the management of any action which involves such human rights abuses as coercive abortion, forced sterilisation of women and men, or determining foetal sex resulting in pre natal sex selection or infanticide, especially where such actions apply their priorities though psychological, social, economic or legal pressure. The Commission should present a report on the implementation of the Union's external assistance covering family planning programmes;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. In order to avoid double funding by public sources, calls on the EU budgetary authorities not to finance NGOs’ general operating costs and to stick to project-specific funding only, which should be limited to maximum 40%, while the NGO's own contribution should be at least 60%, with transparent proof of the origin of its own resources;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recognises that working with multiple donors increases administrative burdens; asks the Commission, therefore, to limitto request full transparency for the minimum percentage requirements in co- funding agreements (i.e. an NGO applying for EU funding must prove the origin of its own resources), ensure that in- kind contributions are considered eligible, harmonise external evaluation requirements and make better use of existing evaluations;
Amendment 59 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Recalls that the principle "He who pays the piper calls the tune" applies also for the EU funding policy for NGOs, because the EU funding policy obliges NGOs to advertise and legitimise the Commission's activities as well as to promote and legitimise themselves; recalls that by this procedure the EU Commission creates a "Muppet civil society";
Amendment 70 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Insists that the spending of EU taxpayers’ money must be in line with the preferences of EU taxpayers, and that citizens and EU budgetary authorities should listen to real concerns voiced by real citizens;
Amendment 72 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Calls on the EU budgetary authorities to ensure that the process of commissioning work from NGOs is brought in line with EU procurement policy, with profit-making organisations also allowed to participate;
Amendment 74 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Recalls that funding of NGOs by the EU bears the risk of "political omphaloskepsis (navel-gazing)" and ventriloquism by creating a "Muppet civil society" for the EU to conduct a dialogue with;