EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia Effective networking: Case study EU IMPACT: Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia EC PHARE 2005 project Višnja Samardžija, Ph.D Institute for International Relations – IMO Zagreb, Croatia Civil Society Development in South-Eastern Europe: Building Europe Together Brussels, April, 2008

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

Main goals of the project networking to contribute to institutional capacity building for dialogue between academic community, researchers, policy makers, public administration and civil society on EU integration impact in Croatia to enable better networking of representatives of academic community, encouraging dialogue and dissemination of information on the European integration of Croatia and the EU enlargement; to raise awareness on impacts of negotiations and EU membership, including the role of civil society organizations in the EU integration; to encourage formulation of informed and motivated opinions and positions based on in-depth analysis on impacts of EU integration; to generate interest for the wide spectrum of issues included in the thematic scope of the debate; to open the possibility of virtual debates on the EU accession by using the electronic media

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia Background: problems to be overcomed Low level of public support for accession process in Croatia Insufficient transparency of negotiation process Inadequate implementation of Croatian communication strategy Low level of awareness on impact of the EU accession Inadequate dialogue and communication between public administration – academia – civil society on EU issues Inadequate influence of civil society in the accession process Limited interest for the subject in academic community (for the difference in civil society) Lack of public interest on debating impact through the online forums Knowledge deficit

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia Positive and negative attitude towards EU accession in Croatia

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia Sharing best practice Review of best practice in area of communicating integration issues in three selected areas, criticism where necessary Networking –TEPSA –EU CONSENT Network of excellence (FP6), transfer of knowledge Irish experience and best practice –optimal solutions for communicating integration impact in Croatia (European Forums, preparation for referendum) Useful exchange of ideas and information, constructive debates between academinc community, public authorities and NGOs Active participation of civil society High level of media coverage

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia Synopsis: project activities Kick of conference –The role of academic community in communicating EU accession to Croatian public –representatives of partners, associates, leading experts, civil society from the field Regional European forums –First forum of the Academic network, Rijeka (impacts of the EU accession in the field of education, research and science) –Second forum, Osijek (consumer protection and food safety) –Third forum, Split (environment protection) Development of a web page of the Academic network –Announcements, online reports, permanent communication –online virtual forum for debates on the impact of the EU accession in Croatia. Policy analyses, book Linking the EU Impact with other networks

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia Web page & electronic forums

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

Lessons learned Preconditions for the success: –Focus on highly relevant topics –Credible parter institution –Local and international networking –Clearly defined programme and distribution of work among partners –Detailed financial planning, good financial management –Active grassroot participation on local level –Media coverage –Available information on the project (web site)

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia Conclusions – effects of EU IMPACT project Increased awareness on the impacts of EU integration in Croatia Contribution to implementation of the EU/national communication strategy in Croatia Enhanced experience as a basis for developoment of further projects Increased visibility of host institution and partners Good basis for professional development, particularly young researchers

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia Thank you!