General call to participate in 'Views from the Frontline 2011'

Source(s): Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction

Building on the experiences of Views from the Frontline (VFL) 2009, The Global Network of Civil Society Organizations is now planning the next phase of the project. It is expanding the number of partners and countries participating in VFL 2011, which will focus on key aspects of local governance.

Views from the Frontline (VFL) 2009 was a very effective collaborative action aimed at bridging the gap between DRR policy and practice, providing a “common voice” within the policy discourse at local, national and international levels. It brought together the views of over 7,000 government officials, civil society and community representatives involving over 400 organisations from 48 countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas. In the words of Margareta Wahlström – UNISDR “Views from the Frontline shifted the agenda at the Global Platform-DRR 2009 to focus on the implementation of national DRR policies at the local level”

Building on the experiences of VFL 2009, we are now planning the next phase of this groundbreaking project. We would like to expand the number of partners and countries participating in VFL 2011 – which will focus on key aspects of Local Governance. Local governance is where national policies are converted into actual practice and is considered by many to be the single most important factor in determining progress in building community resilience.

Some of the benefits for civil society organisations to participate in VFL 2011 include:

· Increased interaction between affected communities and local state/non-state actors
· Connects the voices of vulnerable people to national and international decision-makers
· Part of an independent global initiative to increase government accountability and transparency
· Strengthens the research, monitoring and advocacy capabilities of participating organisations
· Opens political space for policy dialogue and builds trust and understanding between actors
· Increases understanding of DRR policies and practices amongst agency staff and local actors
· Enhanced organisational exposure through association with a high profile collaborative action
· Opportunity to learn, share knowledge and good practices amongst peer organisations

There are several ways local, national and international civil society organisations can engage in VFL:


· Administer local-level survey questionnaires with key informant groups
· Coordinate and oversee VFL activities at national and regional levels
· Provision of human and financial resources, technical assistance, training and capacity development to enhance capabilities of implementing organisations
· Support joint advocacy and lobbying actions to promote VFL 2011 recommendations

Like VFL 2009, the Global Network Secretariat will provide overall coordination, capacity building support, technical assistance and (funding permitting) limited financial resources to support effective implementation. You are invited you to join in this exciting initiative, please discuss this call to participate with members of staff, partner organisations and relevant civil society networks, both in the countries where we are already working and additional countries.

Over the next few months organizations will be recruited, the implementation methodology finalized, financial resources mobilized and training activities undertaken. The actual survey work is envisaged to start around September 2010 with completion ahead of the GP-DRR 8-13th May 2011.

If you interested and/or want to know more please contact:


The Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction
Marcus Oxley: Marcus.oxley@globalnetwork-dr.org
Terry Gibson: Terry.gibson@globalnetwork–dr.org

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