On Saturday 12th of March 2016 U-Impact partner IREX Europe is organizing a debate on the role of European Aid n the current refugee crisis. See the event agenda; and watch the event relive here (in French).
Category Archives: Citizen Participation EU
Ending the “limbo” in Europe – U-Impact Policy Initiative
JoiEU Gets Quoted in Official EU Report on the 2014 European Elections
JoiEU became one of only three citizen projects specifically mentioned as positive examples of citizen action in the Report on the 2014 European Parliament elections, a Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions
The Report on European Parliament Elections says:
“Civil society organisations were actively involved in efforts to mobilise voters, e.g. they informed citizens about the importance and benefit of participating in the European elections they made e-tools available to help voters select a candidate matching their preferences or worked towards more inclusive policies to ensure access for persons with disabilities…Examples of NGO projects funded by the Programme Europe for Citizens Enabling EU citizens to reflect on, discuss, exchange on European issues, including with candidates, and make an informed choice in the elections:
JoiEU: Joint Citizen Action for a Stronger, Citizen-friendly Union (European Citizen Action service – ECAS)”.
Honestly, being noticed at this level is a bit of a surprise, but also a great honor and a challenge. I want to thank all our partners for making JoiEU a success. We’ve raised the bar, next time we have to be even better!
Petko Georgiev, Chairman of ProInfo, the leading organization of JoiEU
While JoiEU project activities ended in January 2015 with the Brussels Conference on Digital Democracy, many JoiEU partners have continued their work together for active citizen participation in Europe in the U-Impact joint policy initiative. Follow us also also on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube!
The Forward-looking Close Out: Digital Democracy in Europe!
On January 27, 2015 The European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) organized the final debate of the JoiEU Series in Brussels . Unlike most final events, it looked forward, beyond the end of the project and into the future of participatory digital democracy in Europe.
The debate “Digital Democracy in Europe” attracted over 110 participants from a host of EU countries and focused on :
- Shaping Policies through E-participation;
- Shaping Policies through E-participation;
- Bridging E-participation and Co-legislating at EU Level.
See the Digital Democracy Conference agenda and watch the debate RELIVE HERE!
The Day of Citizens for Europe in Split, Croatia: The role of youth in shaping EU policies
On January 23, 2015 JoiEU Croatian partners Cenzura Plus organized a debate on the role of young Europeans in shaping EU policies. The debate focused on youth involvement into policy making in Croatia and the EU and employment measures for the “NEET population” (Not in education, employment or training)
Youth and Policy Making in the EU Debate Agenda
You can watch the debate RELIVE HERE –
Some background reading material:
The Debate on Philanthropy in Europe – Prague
On December 9 2014 JoiEU partner in the Czech Republic, Neziskovky.cz organized the debate ”Civil Society and Philanthropy” within “Day of Citizens for Europe”. Partner of the event on the Czech part was the Czech Fundraising Centre.
The debate gathered representatives of civil society organizations, relevant government institutions, EU, media, and partners of the project from Bulgaria, Albania, Estonia and others.
During the debate which was webcast live over 50 participants from five countries shared their experience in the following areas:
- How does the European Union foster the development of Civil Society.
- How can banks support and develop philanthropy?
- How to address donors? What do donors need?
- European Funds in New Operation Scheme of 2014-2020.
- Private Giving in the Czech Republic: its present and prospects.
Watch the debate RELIVE HERE:
Some additional reading:
Keeping Europe Open – Debate in Belgrade
On November 13, 2014 JoiEU partner in Serbia, Center for Development of Non-profit Sector hosted the debate ” The Keeping Europe Open”. The debate gathered representatives of relevant government institutions, EU Delegation, civil society organizations, media, and partners of the project from Bulgaria, Belgium and Albania.
The road to the European Union, except the official negotiation process requires mutual openness in holding open the door of Europe. On the one hand, our relationship to Europe through the institutional framework and the view of civil society, and on the other, responding to the openness of the EU to our country. Where are we and what can we expect?
Watch the debate RELIVE HERE:
For background material….
The Debate on Social Enterprises in Europe
On O
ctober 14, 2014 JoiEU partner in Albania, Partners Albania, Center for Change and Conflict Management organized a cross-border debate on the Development of Social Enterprises. The debate included sections on Social Enterprise and employment, the environment for social enterprises in Albania ans in the EU and outlined good practices in some of the JoiEU partner countries like Serbia, the Czech Republic and Belgium. The discussion focused on the status of the legal framework regulating SE registration and activities in the respective countries and the EU, milestones of NGOs influencing and facilitating the SE developments and best or worst practices, as well as challenges and recommendations for further SE development in networking actions. See the full Agenda.
Watch the Debate RELIVE HERE.
Background information and research:
Strasbourg Declaration: EMPOWERING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS FOR INNOVATION, INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND JOBS
Discussion – Social Enterprises in the European Union, Assya Kavrakova, Director of the European Citizen Action Service
The “Civil Society and Solidarity in Times of Crisis” Debate
On Tuesday, June 17, 2014 the JoiEU partner NACAB (Asociația Națională a Birourilor de Consiliere pentru Cetățeni – National Association of Citizen Advice Bureaux), Romania organized this month’s debate on “Civil Society and Solidarity in Times of Crisis”. Besides the participants from Romania and other EU member states on the spot in Bucharest, the trans-border part of the debate included online interventions from Active Citizenship Network Italy, Partners Albania, ECAS Belgium and the NGO Support Centre Cyprus. The main topics discussed were:
- What lessons can the civil society draw from the solidarity movements that emerged in EU Members States in the last four years?
- What effects does the “new European order” have for the civil society and how can the citizens, the media and the nongovernmental organizations address them?
The “Women for a Stronger Europe” Debate in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
On May 13, 2014 JoiEU partner Atria organized the debate on women’s role in Europe.
With the European Parliament elections from 22 – 25 May 2014 just a few days ahead, the debate addressed key questions about the role of EU for women, such as:
- What is the significance of the European Union for women?
- What is the status quo of the EU’s gender policy?
- What can be done to improve gender equality in the European society?
Watch the Debate ReLive below:
Women for a stronger Europe – Debate Programme
Presentations made by participants:
Making Europe Better for Women – The Spanish Experience
Make Europe Better for women Estonian Women’s Studies and Resource Centre
JoiEU 