Communication between national NGO’s and EU institutions Viorelia Ciuciur Civil Society Development Foundation (CSDF)

The political and institutional framework of governance The Aarchus Convention (1998) - protects people's right of favorable environment, access to information and participation in decision making White Paper on European Governance (2001) - establish more democratic forms of governance at all levels - global, European, national, regional and local

The White Paper on a European Communication Policy (2006) The document states five areas for action in partnership with other institutions, governments and civil society: – to anchor the right of information in the EU and national institutions; – to strength the relationship between citizens and institutions; – to work better with the media; – to better understanding European public opinion; – to "do the job together" in partnership between EU institutions, member states, regional and local levels, political parties and civil society organizations

The levels of ccommunication between national NGO’s and EU institutions

The Commission current relationship with NGOs can be summarized as follows: NGO as information relays Dialogue/discussions with and consultation of NGO representative in the context of policy shaping

European Platforms/ Networks send information – sometimes information received directly from consultation with The European Commission bodies – to national platforms / Organizations National Platforms – disseminate the information to their member NGOs

Since development cooperation capacity building activities, carried out with the support of 16 October organizations willing to become members of the Platform officially committed to create FOND. At the establishing Assembly, the platform statutes and its steering bodies were approved. FOND - legal registration on 23 March TRIALOG – a project lead by CONCORD members to support New Member States’ Development NGOs and national platforms – provides assistance for capacity building and supports linkage with CONCORD and European networks.

FOND (The National Non-Governmental Development Organizations Platform) FOND members are already participating in various European networks of NGDOs. CSDF participates to CONCORD’s Working Group Enlargement Pre-Accession and Neighborghood Representatives of PATRIR are participating in Development Education Forum SECS represents FOND to CONCORD’s Aid Watch Working Group World Vision Romania is present in Financing for Development and Relief Working Group

Through the participation to work in the Working Groups of CONCORD, FOND members mandated by the platform represent their national NGOs’ positions CONCORD interacts with the EC bodies and positions expressed through WGs are transmitted to Bruxelles E.g. – In November 2007, FOND helped organize CONCORD's WG EPAN meeting in Romania.

European Economic and Social Committee a bridge between Europe and organized civil society 5 Romanian civil society representatives in the European Economic and Social Committee EESC can be consulted by the Council, European Commission and European Parliament EESC is abilitated to have initiative EESC can take over the role of facilitator and promoter of the dialogue among civil society

Constraints Romanian NGOs are not used to use the information on the EU institutions websites The language barrier The disappearance of the Delegation of the European Commission from Romania Lack of transparency Lack of user/friendly informational interface for the Romanian NGO sector There is no strong body at the European level to represent the Romanian NGOs voice

Possible means of responding to these constraints The establishment of many networks and platforms representing all areas of the national NGO sector Awareness Programs for the Romanian NGOs regarding the advantage of cooperation and partnership at European level Chanels of communication well established among NGOs and EU institutions

Thank you!

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