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How It Started
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The Philippine region has been part of the Volens area of cooperation for more than 20 years. From 1998 to 2002, the Philippines was selected as the only country in Asia that would have a new 5-year project cycle with the Itinerans consortium where Volens was the lead agency. This 5-year project cycle was approved and was mainly financed by the Belgian government. During the deliberation and preparation for a second 5-year project cycle, however, the Belgian government decided that they would no longer support a new project for the Philippines as they do not consider it a least developed country anymore. This decision entailed that Volens should withdraw from the Philippines. Despite the decision of the Belgian government, Volens opts to continue its programs in the Philippines by looking for other means of cooperation. After a thorough discussion, three Philippine cooperants worked out a plan that became the basis for the BOND proposal that will be further elaborated in this document.
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The Challenge
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Many people search and want to work for change. A major concern, though, is the kind of vehicle that will be used to reach the goal. Often, there is a lack of connection between the people and the NGOs that are too big or which are overwhelming. The challenge, therefore, is to look for a match that would cater to the needs of the people and enhance cooperation between the north and the south. Which type of cooperation and connection could be offered to people in the north and the south? How can a partnership become "cozy" for the people involved and remain pure in its format? These are some of the central questions which the BOND proposal attempts to answer. The BOND proposal wants to create a kind of cooperation that is realistic and challenging for all parties. BOND aims to establish closer ties between the people in Belgium and the Philippines, and shall identify new indicators for cooperation with prospective partners in the north and the south.
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