In the framework of the EU-funded Technical Assistance to Civil Society Organisations in Western Balkans and Turkey (EU TACSO 3) project, we are pleased to invite you to participate in the P2P on-line event under the title: “The Role of the Civil Society in the EU Accession Process” that will take place on 25 and 26 October 2021.

This event is organised in cooperation with the European Policy Institute (EPI) from North Macedonia and the Think for Europe Network (TEN).

Aiming to discuss the needs for improved CSO inclusion in the EU accession process and IPA programming and particularly to share the current practices, a regional P2P event will be organised. The purpose of the event is threefold:

• To discuss the importance of CSOs involvement in the EU accession process and IPA (III) programming;
• To share challenges and to learn about upcoming potential changes in the EU accession process;
• To learn from best practice examples.

The four main topics of discussion will include:

• General overview of the mechanisms for CSOs involvement in the EU accession process: The first session will provide an overview of former and current mechanisms for CSO involvement in the EU accession process involving at least one representative of the countries currently negotiating, awaiting negotiations with the candidate status as well as the countries without candidate status. In this way, the session will provide initial food for thought for all participants of the varying mechanisms for CSOs involvement in EU accession throughout the region;
• Mechanisms for CSO involvement in the IPA programming structures:  Similarly, like the previous, the second session will provide an overview of former and current mechanisms for CSO involvement in the IPA programming process involving at least one representative of the countries currently negotiating, awaiting negotiations with candidate status as well as the countries without candidate status. In this way, the session will provide initial food for thought for all participants of the varying mechanisms for CSOs involvement in EU accession throughout the region;
• Key challenges for meaningful CSO engagement in the EU accession process: The third session will enable the participants to present and discuss the key challenges they experienced in the various mechanisms presented in the previous day, setting grounds for recommendations and lessons learnt to be drawn. The session will also involve a representative from a CSO from the previous enlargement rounds (Croatia) to share the experiences;
• Challenges posed by the new methodology for accession in terms of the role of CSOs in EU accession: In the last session, the participants will look forward to upcoming challenges and opportunities created by the new methodology for accession in terms of CSO involvement. The session would reflect on the new methodology, and sharing of experience from CSOs and experts on crucial issues to be mindful of raising awareness among the participants of the challenges which are to come in the future.

The on-line event will gather up to 60 CSOs, public institutions representatives and experts, mainly those who are members of various platforms for CSO inclusion in the EU accession process in the enlargement region.

If you are interested in attending the P2P event, please register at the following link until Thursday, 21 October till 15:00 hrs CET.

The event’s official language is English, with simultaneous translation provided in Albanian, Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian, Montenegrin, Macedonian and Turkish.

The Zoom link to join the event, along with the agenda and other details, will be sent to all registered participants prior to the event.