Who we are
EPLO advances the interests of its member organisations through common policy positions and consequently advocating for those common positions. EPLO disseminates information and promotes understanding of EU policies of concern to its member organisations. The Office also builds solidarity and co-operation amongst its member organisations and with other relevant NGO networks. Finally, EPLO raises awareness about the contribution that the EU should make to peacebuilding, and the need to hold the EU accountable to its own political commitments of helping to secure peace within and outside its borders.
- Click here to read EPLO’s current strategic and policy objectives.
EPLO Staff
Sonya Reines-Djivanides
Henriette Umutesi
Lorenzo Conti
Carlotta Venza
Felicity Roach
Marie Lena Groenewald
Dearbhaile O’Callaghan
Victoria Jiménez Baigorri
Fernando Sanz Ocaña
Decision-making Structures
EPLO functions on the principle of added value to its member organisations. Its work complements the activities of its member organisations, drawing upon their specific expertise and joining their forces in areas better dealt with together. EPLO advocates for its ideas by developing common positions and promoting these to the EU institutions and other policy decision-making bodies through position papers, campaigns, press and media promotion, participation in conferences and seminars, and regular meetings with institutional representatives and other relevant actors.
Joint approaches on wider policy are reached in consultation with all member organisations. Common positions may if necessary include minority positions. If a member organisation feels arguably compromised in its core values, it can call upon the Steering Committee to negotiate a solution.
The EPLO General Assembly meets once a year and is EPLO’s decision-making body. It is where constitutional decisions are taken by all member organisations, and where elections for the Steering Committee are held. In accordance with EPLO’s statutes, the Steering Committee selects EPLO’s President, Vice President and Treasurer. The General Assembly decides on strategic multi-annual plans and bi-annual work plans on the basis of proposals prepared by the Office and the Steering Committee. The General Assembly also decides on membership admission and the principle structure of the Working Groups and other groups that develop EPLO’s policy positions.
EPLO staff members report to the General Assembly on the results of EPLO’s work and gather inputs from member organisations.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee consists of between five and seven members. Steering Committee members are elected for two-year terms by a simple majority of the votes of members present at the General Assembly and proxy votes. Steering Committee members are proposed by their organisation or another member, are generally the EPLO representatives of that organisation, and have the seniority to engage their organisation. They are elected in a personal capacity and on the understanding that they work in the interest of EPLO, independent of their professional commitments elsewhere. Steering Committee members contribute their professional experience on a voluntary basis and seek to represent the best interest of EPLO as a whole and of all its members. The Steering Committee meets as necessary but at least four times a year.
EPLO Steering Committee (April 2023 – March 2024)
Chair
Judy McCallum
Members
Mentor Vrajolli
Tracey Martin
Peter Marsden
Christoph Lüttmann
Dr Jibecke Joensson
