NCVO European and International team

Oli Henman
Head of EU and International Team
Read his blog, follow Oli @olihenman
Email Oli or call 020 7250 2550

Oli has considerable experience in working with civil society in Europe and in South America. In his role at NCVO he has spearheaded the development of the European Network of National Civil Society Associations (ENNA) that links national umbrella bodies across Europe, he was also a co-drafter of the Council of Europe’s Code of Good Practice on Civil Participation. In September 2011 he was elected Chair of the Steering Group of the Affinity Group for National Associations (AGNA), which is the group for national umbrella bodies within CIVICUS, the global alliance for citizen participation. Prior to NCVO, he worked at the Power Inquiry where he managed the European Citizens Consultation (UK) to connect a wide range of citizens into discussion on the future of Europe.

Sandra Turner
ESF Effectiveness Manager
Follow Sandra @eufundingncvo
Email Sandra or call 020 7250 2547

Sandra is the ESF Effectiveness Manager of the European Funding Network (EFN) and has been working with European Funding for the last 17 years. Before the merger with the NCVO, she was the Executive Director of the Third Sector European Network (TSEN) and was European Development Manager at CSV, co-ordinating the organisation's access to structural funds and other transnational EU funding aimed at promoting social inclusion and active citizenship through voluntary action. She was also the general secretary of a international network, Volonteurope, and has organised its annual European workshop for the past 11 years. She served on the ‘Infrastructure’ working group of the EYV Alliance in 2011. Sandra has been representing the sector on the ESF Programme Monitoring Committee for England since 2007.

Sara Stephens
ESF Effectiveness Officer
Follow Sara @eufundingncvo
Email Sara or call 020 7250 2565

Sara recently joined NCVO as the ESF Effectiveness Officer and is responsible for supporting the delivery of the European Social Fund Programme “Civil Society Active for ESF”. She contributes to policy and evidence gathering, develops communications, and coordinates events on ESF and other EU projects and funding in relation to civil society. Sara holds a BscEcon in European Union Studies and worked for an MEP at the European Parliament for seven years before joining the NCVO in 2012.

Neena Bhati
EU and International
Follow Neena @neenabhati
Email Neena or call 020 7250 2550

Neena produces policy analysis and reports, focusing on European Initiatives around social service reform, including public services, social entrepreneurship and social investment. She is currently leading on the organisation's work on EU procurement legislation, as well as supporting the Chief Executive in his role at the European Economic and Social Committee. Neena holds an MA in Public Policy and Management.

Our partners

NCVO is an active member of a wide number of international networks and organisations, these include:

ENNA

NCVO is a founder member of the European Network of National Civil Society Associations (ENNA). This network brings together the major national cross-sectoral umbrella bodies in member states across Europe. It acts as a horizontal exchange platform to strengthen the operation of national bodies in their key roles in empowering and supporting thousands of local and national public benefit / non-profit civil society organizations across Europe. ENNA is a growing network and has 21 members in 18 countries across Europe, with its office based in Brussels.

Read Stuart Etherington's speech about ENNA (PDF 37.7 KB)

Find out more on the website www.enna-europe.org

EESC

Our Chief Executive, Sir Stuart Etherington is a member of the European Economic & Social Committee, he represents civil society on Group III (Various Interests). This Committee is a central part of the EU institutions and regularly provides expert opinions to the European Commission as part of the legislative process. We work closely with members and partners to shape the direction of the EESC work programme and are always keen to receive suggestions on new areas to be promoted.

Find out more on the website www.eesc.europa.eu

CEDAG

NCVO is a key member of the European Council for Non Profit Organisations (CEDAG). This well established organisation exists to defend and promote the interests of the diverse and multifaceted civil society sector in decision making at the European level. It has particular expertise in social service reform and civil dialogue in Brussels. CEDAG responds to the changing needs of civil society, and is therefore not bounded by political borders. It welcomes and supports a diverse range of members from across the European continent.

Find out more on the website www.cedag-eu.org

CIVICUS

At the global level NCVO is an active member of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. This is an international body which constitutes an influential network of organisations at the local, national, regional and international levels, and spans the spectrum of civil society. NCVO plays an active role in the Affinity Group for National Associations which provides a space for exchange of skills and expertise between national partners. Recent work has included support to Zimbabwe’s National Association of NGOs.

Find out more on the website www.civicus.org

Joint projects we are involved in

Participation for Change

NCVO to lead on Europe-wide mentoring programme

Participation for Change is a joint project from NCVO, OFOP (Poland), BBE (Germany), NENO (Estonia) and CNVOS (Slovenia), which has been successful in securing funding as part of the European Network of National Associations (ENNA).

The 'Participation for Change' project will carry out co-mentoring for civil society members and partners in key countries across Europe. Events are now being planned in Berlin, Talinn and Brussels.

This e-mentoring initiative will provide a forum for civil society organisations (CSOs) to exchange a wide range of ideas as well as closer collaboration on issues facing European communities and their citizens.

Stuart Etherington, CEO, NCVO said: "We are delighted we have secured this funding to continue the work of ENNA. 'Participation for Change' will give CSOs the opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other. It will also give MEP’s the chance to learn about the challenges faced by these organisations."