Formation of the "Friends of EASBRIG Donor Group”     

From the enthusiasm of International Partners and from the early engagement with donors, EASBRICOM has floated the idea of forming a donor club for EASBRIG , “The friends of EASBRIG”. The idea is fully acceptable to most donors, as they see this as forum for not only coordinating the donor support but avoiding duplication and competition by donors.  It is also necessary for EASBRIG to ensure donors do not just oversubscribe for only areas of their interest leaving even critical area of interest to the region unattended. The “Friends of EASBRIG Group” concept has been discussed at various meetings and it has been agreed that Britain coordinate the first meeting of all international partners. The first initial and preparatory meeting will be called by EASBRICOM in conjunction with Britain in Nairobi in September 2007 at which the “Friends of EASBRIG donor Group” will be formally launched. There after a donor conference of the friends will be called and all EASBRIG development support requests will be tabled for consideration for funding by the donors. This is considered extremely important as having a group of dedicated donors will ensure that programs and activities of EASBRIG have a dependable source of funding.

EASBRIG Development Support Committee

The EASBRIG is charged with the responsibility of force generation and force preparations in accordance with the AU roadmap culminating in AU Field Training Exercise by 2010. The standby Force relies heavily on training of troops to the level set out by AU and UN. The British Government, through the British Peace Training Team (BPST – EA) in Nairobi have identified the training and development support for EASBRIG as a priority area requires support by the UK and the International Partners.  The British and EASBRICOM have held discussions and agreed on the broad range of areas for support including training, capacity building of EASBRIG organs, training of the National High Readiness Forces, the Brigade HQs, as well as the general support in coordination  and development of EASBRIG.  The UK, to this end offered to strengthen the regional training capacity by assisting  supporting development of Regional Centres of Excellence to standards and level desired by the AU. Britain has further, proposed the establishment of EASBRIG Development Support Committee (EDSC) Composed of officials from EASBRIG structures and donors.  The committee is an informal forum in which coordination, monitoring of implementation of programmes is jointly done by both beneficiaries and donor representatives.  The committee has held two meetings.   The EDSC, will also among its functions, undertake resource mobilization to help further EASBRIG to meet its development needs. 

Technical Advisors to EASBRICOM

EASBRICOM has identified need for attachment of Technical Advisors to the Institution. Other Institutions such as COMESA, IGAD and EAC have arrangements in which Donors attach technical advisors who among other duties assist in Technical Support, resource mobilization, provide necessary linkage to the donor and enhance in accounting of funds.  EASBRICOM believes that the presence of Technical Advisors is useful for the organization and will facilitate faster and reliable linkage to the donors for the greater value of resource mobilization but without compromising the requisite independence of the Region. Several countries and donor institutions among them Britain, European Union, Denmark, GTZ, have expressed the interest to attach immediately the TAs to assist EASBRIG. EASBRICOM specifically appreciates the contribution by Denmark and BPST for extending support to the recently concluded Command and Staff conference and the Experts Working Group, respectively. Denmark has extended to EASBRICOM US$81,000 to facilitate the various activities related to the Command and Staff Conference and Experts Working Group meetings while the BPST contributed US$15,000. The GTZ have demonstrated support, including conference services for the Expert Working Group.