INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
Summary of Liberal Democrat Strategy for expenditure of WFD funds for (2005/2006)
The Liberal Democrats have a strategic plan for expenditure of WFD fund allocation, which is written yearly following a consultation process. This is an extensive document outlining regional and country by country objectives. Where possible, plans are made over the longer term. However, project planning also takes into account the changing political scene in many countries.
Our overall aim remains the promotion of liberal democracy worldwide. That is, engaging with democratic parties of liberal orientation, to ensure an option for voters which is a party, democratic both in its own organisation and externally, and which is policy based, promoting liberal democratic ideals, principles and policies. This is implemented through:
- Increasing contacts with liberal democratic parties and people around the world;
- Strengthening liberal democratic parties through technical support, skills exchange and political support, to ensure the development of democratic and accountable liberal parties;
- Supporting the development of active international liberal networks, including regional networks where possible, providing forums for encouraging skills and information exchange and support, and developing a common and effective liberal voice internationally.
As part of our promotion of liberal democracy the inclusion of women and youth at all levels of politics and within our own individual projects is sought. The importance of local government and grassroots politics is an essential part of our work, which encourages a 'bottom up' approach to party building and maintains effective communication between the parties and their electorate at all levels.
Our geographical priorities reflect those of WFD itself: that is, we work mainly in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and the former Soviet Union. We are also developing work in the Middle East and North Africa region. This year will see most of our work occur in Africa and Central and Eastern Europe, with limited work in the former Soviet Union, Asia, and the Middle East. Due to our limited budget, a large number of projects in these regions and beyond have been put on a reserve list.
Our focus on Africa is a result of increased demand and increased opportunity in terms of building democratic parties which can promote stable democracies and sustainable economic and social growth throughout Africa. Our main objectives in Africa are to gain sister party contacts in countries where we have none, to cement recently made contacts, and to strengthen and develop liberal democratic parties with which we already have good contacts. Vital to this is the strengthening of the liberal network in Africa, the Africa Liberal Network, into an effective and active network which will provide a forum for skills and information exchange, building capacity for sister parties in Africa to undertake their own training and development programmes.
Our main objectives in Central and Eastern Europe are to ensure strong and effective liberal democratic options within EU applicant states, and to promote strong liberal parties within stable democracies in the Balkan countries. These objectives will be implemented by a limited number of fact finding and needs assessment visits, as well as party building work and skills exchange, with potential campaign support depending on budget.
In the former Soviet Union, Asia, and the Middle
East, we aim to continue development work to strengthen the liberal democratic
parties and contacts that we already have and to seek new parties and contacts
where we have none. In a number of these countries, cross party work is seen as
preferable, where no distinct philosophical identity is recognised.
Evaluation of our work occurs through
measurement against regional and country objectives, and also by measurement
against aims set for each individual project. Where possible, we continue to
seek co-ordination with other liberal funding organisations, in order to
maximise effect. Review of our evaluation procedure is continuing, in line with
a commitment to codify best practice procedures.
