The Neighbourhood Civil Society Facility that was first set up by the European Commission in 2011 with the aim to reinforce capacities of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the Neighbourhood region, starts its second phase. The Facility will receive a new budget allocation of €45.3 million for 2012-2013.

The European Commission announced the adoption of the second phase of the Neighbourhood Civil Society Facility, that will enhance involvement of civil society organisations in the European Neighbourhood area. The funding is divided in two parts: the Eastern Neighbourhood Facility will receive a new budget allocation of €23.3 million for 2012-2013 while the additional funds for the Neighbourhood South Facility will amount to €22 million. The Commission presented new proposals to improve EU's support to countries in democratic transition.

The Facility's goal is to support society organisations in the policy dialogue with partner governments, to strengthen civil society's role in fostering public accountability and support their increased role in national reforms process and in local development agenda. According to the Commission, there is significant potential for civil society to contribute to the implementation of sector support programmes through stronger engagement along all stages of the programming cycle.

The Facility will be implemented through regional and local calls for proposals and funding will be used to support civil society organisations' projects, networks, exchanges of best practices, training and meetings bringing civil society and public authorities together in order to help them advance the process of transition and transformation.