From March 3rd to 6th, 2024, BCSDN’s Executive Director, Biljana Spasovska, actively participated in the EESC Days, a key event dedicated to the role of civil society in shaping the future of the European Union. The event gathered prominent civil society representatives and institutional leaders to discuss crucial issues such as civil dialogue, civic space, disinformation, and digital transformation.
Biljana made significant contributions during the session on the role and importance of civil society in the EU enlargement process. This session was central to BCSDN’s advocacy efforts, focusing on the need for the EU, especially the European Commission, to standardize the involvement of social partners and civil society in the Enlargement countries. Biljana emphasized the importance of initiatives similar to the EESC’s Enlargement Candidate Members (ECM) initiative, advocating for these to be expanded to revive the credibility of the EU enlargement process and regain the trust of Western Balkan citizens in the EU’s commitments.
In addition to her session contributions, Biljana highlighted the need for stronger engagement of Western Balkan civil society alongside their EU counterparts in addressing cross-cutting EU issues. This call for inclusivity aligns with the broader discussions at the Civil Society Week, where themes such as combating disinformation, fostering democratic education, and ensuring transparent decision-making were emphasized as vital for resilient democracies.
Beyond the sessions, Biljana engaged in valuable meetings with key European partners and stakeholders, including the European Civic Forum, Civil Society Europe, Philea, and the FRA, further strengthening BCSDN’s network and collaborative efforts in promoting civil society’s role in EU policymaking.
The EESC Days served as a pivotal platform for civil society to voice their expectations for the next EU mandate. The discussions and outcomes will feed into the EESC’s resolution for the new mandate, set to be adopted in July, ensuring that the voices of civil society continue to shape a more democratic Europe.
For more detailed insights and reports from the sessions, please visit the EESC Civil Society Week 2024 session reports.