The Delegation of the European Union to China has launched a new project entitled "Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities Partnership for Public Services and Social Governance". The project is part of the EU thematic programme "Civil Society Organizations" and has an EU financial contribution of 800.000 EUR.  The project will be implemented by the China Association for NGO cooperation (CANGO) and aims at supporting the role of Chinese Civil Society organizations in the delivery of social services to vulnerable groups, reinforcing their capacities, and fostering the establishment of partnerships between Local authorities and CSOs to improve the quality of social services in Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi and Sichuan.

The launch event counted with the participation of Mr. Long Yongtu, Former Vice-Minister of Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, Mr. Chang Hexi, Vice-Director General of China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges, Mr Zhao Daxing Executive Director of CANGO and Mr Chris Wood, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to China.

Mr Wood highlighted the importance that civil society organizations have in European welfare systems, contributing to bring social services closer to the citizens and improving their effectiveness and efficiency. The project will become a platform through which different Chinese actors will be able to interact and discuss how to improve social services delivery to vulnerable groups.

For further information: Victor Giner, programme officer, victor.giner@eeas.europa.eu