International networks
KEPA monitors and participates in the work of civil society organisations’ networks in Europe and in the developing world, but KEPA is not currently a member of any global umbrella organisation for CSOs.
Eurostep
Eurostep is a network established by Britain’s Oxfam and Holland’s Novib for likeminded organisations working with development issues. Eurostep’s main objective is to influence the international development policies of the EU and its member states. Eurostep also runs the European Development portal.
Eurostep’s members, who include individual organisations as well as national umbrella organisations, must be neutral with regard to ideology, faith and party political affiliations.
KEPA has participated actively in Eurostep since joining the network in 1995.
Eurodad
Eurodad is a European CSO network whose main aim is to support CSOs’ activities on issues related to debt and development financing. KEPA joined Eurodad in 1997.
Concord
Concord is a European confederation whose members include national umbrella organisations and international networks encompassing more than 1,600 civil society organisations (CSOs) working with development issues in the EU’s member states.
Concord aims to influence the EU’s development policies by participating in EU forums and agencies as the representative of European CSOs working with development cooperation. Concord also provides information for European CSOs on issues related to the EU’s development policies, and supports and coordinates collaboration between organisations. It also strives to publicise the work of CSOs across the EU.
Finland’s national platform organisation for Concord, Kehys, aims to help Finnish CSOs influence and participate in the EU’s development policy work. KEPA is an active member of Kehys.
Reality of Aid
The Reality of Aid network describes itself as the only major North-South international non-governmental initiative focusing exclusively on analysis and lobbying for poverty eradication policies. Its members include more than 40 civil society networks working in 22 countries.
European Trade Network
The ETN provides a forum for the exchange of information and strategic planning on issues related to trade, sustainable development, poverty reduction, and measures to make the EU’s trade policies more democratic and transparent.
OneWorld
KEPA is a member of the internationally active OneWorld.net internet community.
KEPA has also recently joined two well-established networks
Collaboration with networks in the developing world
Collaboration with various international networks working in the developing world is an important aspect of KEPA’s work. KEPA has particularly cooperated with:
These networks all contribute significantly to civil society movements in developing countries. KEPA has benefited from contacts within these networks, and often invited their leading figures, including Martin Khor, Walden Bello and Yash Tandon, to Finland to participate in events.
