1. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Regional Training on Citizen’s Participation in Decision- Making Process Belgrade, March 28 -31, 2010 Trainers Kushtrim Islami Jelena Marković

2. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE. – Abraham Lincoln –

3. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Basic principle There are no limitations for the citizens participation and active involvement in processes of personal interests and/or improvement of quality of their lives and/or society growth.

4. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Values and Basic Principles of Citizen Participation One of the basic human right (1969, UN Declaration of Human Rights) One of the major forces of changing and developing society One of the aspects of personal development and growth

5. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Values and benefits of civil participation Benefits at the personal level: Personal development: knowledge, skills, self-confidence, creativity, motivation, self-respect, increased rights and responsibilities. Benefits for the society: Redistribution of the rights and responsibilities (sharing responsibilities) Empowered citizens Increased efficiency and usage of available resources Sustainable changes

6. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. How to increase citizen participation Permanent building of culture of participation Appropriate tools and methods Meaningful citizen involvement instead of fake participation approach Enabling environment

7. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Status of NGO within the EU Council of Europe has provided the consultative status for NGO since 1952, and participatory status in 2003. White paper 2001. – marked a change of paradigm for the EU, by clearly defining the EU policy process as the result of different influences and mechanisms of dialogue and participation which are not limited to the institutional triangle, and also by acknowledging the need to foster citizens involvement in the EU process. Basic principles were enshrined in the five key principles of good governance: openness, participation, accountability, effectiveness and coherence. Inclusion of Article 47 in the Constitutional Treaty, 2005

8. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Main findings - EU Civil Society Contact Group Soft framework at EU level: EU democratic deficit and lack of accountability mechanisms and NGOs growing engagement within the EU and national level policy arena. Absence of clear cut definition: a continuum from informal lobbing to structured relation. Civil dialogue is marked by permanent tension between expertise, efficiency and participation. Imbalance between institutions and throughout policy areas. European Commission appears as the main driver for structured forms of interactions, followed by EU Economic and Social Committee. EU Parliament – more informal ways of interaction.

9. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Main features of the EU framework for civil dialogue Commission focused Exact scope to be defined Absence of binding representativity criteria Reject of accreditation system Voluntary approach Wide definition of civil society Stakeholder dialogue

10. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Key challenges: Providing an enabling structure leading to concrete outcomes. NGOs are interested to contribute if they can influence policy making. Feedback from participatory processes is obligatory to avoid fatigue participation. Better horizontal coordination and equal access Strengthening trust and mutual understanding between CSOs and EU Institutions The need for an inclusive approach

11. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Recommendations Reviewing and strengthening civil dialogue Putting in place an efficient and effective dialogue structure Making participation matter Increasing transparency and stakeholder balance Opening up the Council Ensuring a real consultation on horizontal issues Ensuring an enabling environment for national NGOs to participate in EU debates

12. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Mechanisms Dialogue at macro policy level Biannual meetings Multi stakeholder forums Meso policy level and technical dialogue Consultative committees and expert groups Public internet consultations Regular informal meetings with NGOs funded by a specific programme Ad hoc meetings on specific issues Seminars, workshops and roundtables Open hearings, conferences, broad events Dialogue for a Focus groups, citizen panels Studies

13. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. CODE OF GOOD PRACTICE ON CIVIL PARTICIPATION IN THE DECESION – MAKING PROCESS The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has recognized the ``essential contribution made by NGOs to the development and realization of democracy and human rights.`` In 2007 INGO conference resulted in decision that Code of Good Practice will be drafted Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe welcomed the document Code of Good Practice adopted by the Conference of INGO on October 1, 2009.

14. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. The final aim To enhance citizen's empowerment and participation in the democratic process at local, regional and national levels. Code is not have mandatory character, does not prescribe the rules or require enforcement mechanisms

15. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. The principal objective is to contribute to the creation of enabling environment for NGOs by defining the set of general principles, guidelines, tools and mechanisms for civil participation in the political decision making processes.

16. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Why the active role of NGOs is so important Knowledge and skills Independent expertise Connection with the constituency Influence on policy making Multiplier for the further engagement of the citizens

17. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Basic principles for Civil Participation Participation Trust Accountability and transparency Independence

18. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Conditions for Civil Participation Enabling environment: Rule of law; Adherence to fundamental democratic principles; Political will; Favorable legislation; Clear procedures; Long term support and resources; Shared interest and space for cooperation and dialogue.

19. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Level of participation Information Consultation Dialogue Partnership

20. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Steps in political decision making processes Agenda setting Drafting Decision Implementation Monitoring Reformulation

21. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Agenda setting NGOs Advocating Information and awareness building Expertise and advice Innovation Service provision Public authorities Information sharing Procedures Resource provision Responsiveness

22. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Tools and mechanisms Information level: Access to information Research Campaign and lobbying Website Consultation level: Petitioning Consultation Dialoge: Hearings and public forum Citizen's forum and future councils Key government contact Partnership: Work group or committee

23. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Drafting NGOs Advocating Information and awareness building Expertise and advice Innovation Service provision Watchdog function Public authorities Information sharing Procedures Resource provision Responsiveness

24. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Tools and mechanisms Information level: Open and free access to policy documents Research Campaign and lobbying Website Webcasts Consultation and dialogue level: Hearings and Q&A panels Expert seminars and meetings Petitioning Consultation Multi stakeholders committees Advisory bodies Partnership: Co-drafting

25. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Decision NGOs Advocating Information and awareness building Expertise and advice Watchdog function Public authorities Information sharing Procedures Resource provision Responsiveness

26. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Tools and mechanisms Information level: Campaign and lobbying Consultation and dialogue level: Open plenary or committee session Partnership: Joint decision making Co-decision making

27. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Implementation NGOs Information and awareness building Service provision Watchdog function Public authorities Information sharing Procedures Resource provision Responsiveness

28. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Tools and mechanisms Information level: Open and free access to policy documents E-mail alerts FAQs Website Publicly advertised tender procedures Consultation: Events, conferences, forums, seminars Dialogue level: Capacity building seminars Training seminars Partnership: Strategic partnership

29. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Monitoring NGOs Advocating Expertise and advice Service provision Watchdog function Public authorities Information sharing Responsiveness

30. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Tools and mechanisms Information level: Open and free access to information Evidence gathering Evaluation Independent research studies Consultation: Feedback mechanisms Dialogue level: Work group or committee Partnership: Work group or committee

31. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Reformulation NGOs Advocating Expertise and advice Innovation Service provision Public authorities Information sharing Procedures Resource provision Responsiveness

32. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Tools and mechanisms Information level: Open and free access to information Consultation: Conference or meeting On line consultations Dialogue level: Seminars and deliberative forums Partnership: Work group or committee

33. Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations Regional Office This project is funded by the European Union. Cross cutting tools and mechanisms E – participation Capacity building for participation Structures for cooperation between NGOs and public authorities Framework documents on cooperation between NGOs and public authorities