TUC/DFID SFPA Report to TUC International Development Group
International Development Group
TUC/DFID SFPA Report
12 January 2007
In July 2006, the TUC signed a three-year SFPA with DFID with the aim to increase the engagement of UK unions with DFID and build individual union capacity to internationalise their agenda. `The project is now well underway and this is the first report to the IDG since its inception.
New Project Assistant recruited
The SFPA has considerably more money and is expected to deliver much more than the SGA. To meet the inevitable increase in workload in mid November the TUC recruited Aisha Latif to work part-time (Thursdays and Fridays) as the SFPA Project Assistant. Aisha can be contacted via email alatif@tuc.org.uk or by telephone on 020 7467 1239 and will work, amongst others on promoting and administering the project, (including finance) and organising events.
International Development Learning Fund (IDLF)
The first few months of the project was spent developing a major funding scheme worth £390,000 with the aim of building TUC affiliated trade union capacity to work on international development: to raise development awareness amongst their membership and/or to work in partnership with developing country trade unions.
The IDLF consists of two elements: the IDLF Access (which assists affiliates to develop credible applications to DFID's two main civil society funding streams) and the Mini Grants which assist affiliates and TUC regions to carryout small develop awareness projects.
Launched at Congress, the IDLF has since been heavily promoted and so far, Amicus, CWU, FBU, GMB, NUT, PCS, Prospect, TGWU, UCU, NASUWT and Unison have to varying degrees expressed interest in engaging with the IDLF.
Because it takes time to get agreement and carryout the ground work that leads to a workable idea, affiliates that might want to submit applications in 2008 or 2009, should consider beginning the process as soon as possible.
Following in the footsteps of the Northern TUC Region, the Midlands and South and Eastern TUC regions in late 2006 launched (respectively) an International Forum and International Committee. The SFPA is assisting both regions to develop their capacity to work in this area by advising them on strategy and Mini Grants.
Full details about the IDLF can be found at www.tuc.org.uk/devfr and then clicking on 'Funding Opportunities'.
Development Education
The 200-year anniversary of the abolition of the Slave Trade presents an opportunity to raise awareness about international development. A development education Fact File charting early to modern day slavery and accompanying posters will be launched in early February.
A three-day Officer and Tutor training course is being organised for 7-9 February. The course which is now full, focuses on enabling people to explore globalisation and development, refugees and migrant workers, trade, corporate accountability, the slave trade and core labour standards and within that, the role of trade unions. The course also has a focus on practical action, assisting attendees to understand how they can contribute to international development through their union work.
EUIRD and the SFPA will be running three international sessions during each year at the TUC's Organising Academy and work is soon to begin mainstreaming international issues into their general course materials. Feedback from trainee organisers has so far has been very positive.
International Women's Day Celebrations
This years IWD reception at Congress House will take place on 8 March between 6 - 8.30pm. The event will focus on the Millennium Development Goals which this year, are at their midway point and will ask what progress has there been for working women? Trade union women from Central and Latin America and Africa will each address this point. Plans are also underway for Brazilian themed entertainment and refreshments.
International Development Conference: Union/NGO partnerships
This Conference will take place on 26 March at Congress House between 10am and 4.30pm and will have a practical focus on how trade unions and development NGOs can best complement and strengthen each other's work. During the day best practice examples of union/NGO partnerships will be showcased and ideas for future joint work will be explored.
Affiliates are asked to advertise these two events as widely as possible. To register interest for either event please contact alatif@tuc.org.uk
For further information the SFPA, please contact the SGA Project Officer, Gemma Freedman at the TUC on 020 7467 1233 or gfreedman@tuc.org.uk.
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