1. History of EU consultations with Civil Society

2. Scope of presentation Civil society and the EU institutions Civil society and the EU institutions Basis for dialogue Basis for dialogue What happens in Practice What happens in Practice

3. Civil society & the EU institutions Civil society in all areas of EU’s activities Civil society in all areas of EU’s activities Civil society, non profit, non state actors, private sector Civil society, non profit, non state actors, private sector From funding to policy dialogue From funding to policy dialogue Funding Funding Service delivery Service delivery Advocating policies Advocating policies

4. Engaging NSAs Recognition of the potential role for civil society organisations Recognition of the potential role for civil society organisations Legal statute Legal statute Defined in legal documents Defined in legal documents Cotonou Agreement Cotonou Agreement Legal instruments – DCI, etc Legal instruments – DCI, etc Lisbon Treaty Lisbon Treaty Not just consultation Not just consultation

5. Evolution of the dialogue Dialogue with all the institutions Dialogue with all the institutions The Commission The Commission Liaison Committee of development NGOs (1970’s) Liaison Committee of development NGOs (1970’s) Transformed to Concord Transformed to Concord European Convention European Convention A Constitution for Europe A Constitution for Europe The Lisbon treaty The Lisbon treaty Dialogue with the Commissioner Dialogue with the Commissioner Stakeholders Advisory Group Stakeholders Advisory Group

6. Dialogue with the other institutions Council Council Working Groups of the Council Working Groups of the Council Council Presidency Council Presidency European Parliament European Parliament Hearings Hearings EESC EESC

7. Further evolution Role of CS from the South Role of CS from the South Consultation on country strategies Consultation on country strategies Cross sector cooperation/collaboration Cross sector cooperation/collaboration Civil society contact group Civil society contact group Spring Alliance Spring Alliance Use of internet consultation Use of internet consultation Minimum standards for consultations Minimum standards for consultations

8. Where are we now? Civil society is recognised, but lack of clarity in role Civil society is recognised, but lack of clarity in role Managing the dialogue – representivity versus diversity Managing the dialogue – representivity versus diversity European External Action Service - ? European External Action Service - ? Formal dialogue versus targeted advocacy Formal dialogue versus targeted advocacy