Communiqué: Economic Community Of West Africa States (ECOWAS) And Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) Meeting On The Community Strategic Framework (CSF) 2016 - 2020

We, representatives of Civil Society and professional bodies in the ECOWAS Member States, who participated in the ECOWAS Strategic Planning Directorate meeting with the West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), in fulfilment of a directive emanating from the 75th (seventy-fifth) Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, that the voice of Civil Society be mainstreamed into the Community Strategic Framework (CSF)2016 – 2020 document.

Hereby make the following declaration:
Mindful that the Community Strategic Framework (CSF) document that was discussed with the Heads of National Offices in Member States and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the umbrella of WACSOF in November 2014, was also presented at the 75^th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers;

Determined to ensure that the views of CSOs and professional bodies in the ECOWAS Member States are reflected and mainstreamed into the CSF as directed by Council of Ministers;

Acknowledging the role of the CSOs in facilitating the ‘’consolidation of the foundation for the creation of a prosperous, integrated and peaceful West Africa’’ through:

• Deepening the process of socio-economic development
• Forging and consolidating regional economic and monetary integration
• Deepening the process of political cohesion and participation
• Mobilizing and sustaining societal and institutional support
• Expanding and improving infrastructural facilities

Welcoming the collaboration between WACSOF, WACSI and the ECOWAS Strategic Planning Directorate that has made it possible for this important meeting to take place;

Participants agreedthat CSOs are non-governmental and voluntary which are non-profit and pursuing specific interest (s) towards human development and comprise academic institutions, trade unions, business associations, think tanks, media, NGOs, and private organisation with interest in ensuring that the performance of ECOWAS programmes are improved;

Participants at the meeting deliberatedon the relationship between ECOWAS and CSOs of Member States especially within the context of the CSF;

The deliberations focused on the following key areas; (1) Gaps identified in the CSF, (2) Communication Strategy for disseminating the CSF, (3) Financing the CSF, (4) ImplementationArrangements for the CSF-the role of CSOs.

Participants hereby recommend the following as inputs into the finalisation of the CSF:

• Consider all amendments proposed at this meeting to address gaps identified. Theseinclude how civic participation will be deployed and the placement of gender in goal 4;

• Develop a clear communication strategy to disseminate the CSFthroughout the ECOWAS Member States, taking note of new social media channels whilst still utilizing existing channels of traditional media and traditional methods of communication.

• Develop and strengthen relationships with government departments, associations, faith-based organisations and social movements.

• Set up a technical working group with representation from key CSOs in Member States to meet regularly and track progress on all recommendations as outlined in this communiqué and also in the report for this meeting;

• Ensure sustainable financing of the CSF implementation. Recommendations include: dedicating a portion of the Community Levy which may require a clear budget line for CSOs within the ECOWAS annual budget; and donated funds from emerging African foundations, indigenous philanthropists, strategic bank (ECOBANK) and the diaspora.

• Reorganise the current national structure of ECOWAS to better align and be more responsive to CSOs across Member States;

• Create a linkage between ECOWAS National Offices and WACSOF national platforms for closer collaboration;

• Strengthen the relationship between ECOWAS National Offices and the broader CSOs constituency for the implementation of the CSF;

• Make availableto CSOs all information on the CSF ahead of its implementation for them to fulfil their roles;

• Capitalise on WACSOF as an umbrella organisation for implementation of the CSF at both the regional and national level; and

• Request a comprehensive National Implementation Plan with a deadline / time frame from Member States.

Done in Accra-Ghana, on behalf of the Delegates
April, 2016