BCSDN published its Opinion on the EU support to civil society in the enlargement countries: 10 Years of EU’s Civil Society Facility: How to further strengthen and empower the civil society in the enlargement countries?
Having in mind that the EU will soon enter in a new cycle of planning its pre-accession support, the Opinion presents the past and the present challenges of EU’s support to civil society in the enlargement countries, highlighting the need to improve EU’s efforts towards supporting a more enabling environment for civil society development.
The Opinion states that despite the EU efforts for improved space for CSO activism in recent years and EU financial support, there is still a necessity for greater EU effectiveness and efficiency, stronger financial as well as political support that would contribute to a strong civil society that holds the governments accountable, and is a relevant actor in the sustainable socio-economic development of the countries.
The publication also discusses the successes and the challenges during the 10 years of implementation of IPA CSF. Eventually, the publication offers recommendation how through financial and political support the EU should: protect the civic space; support civil society financial viability; and support meaningful CSO involvement in the political decision-making process.
Read the opinion here.