Civil society voices must be taken into account when policies are made. But what novel tools can empower people and effectively channel their voices into EU decision making? How can CSOs use existing participatory processes to uphold the rule of law in the EU? What are the challenges of using all these tools and conditions needed for success? Join the webinars on 26 and 27 September, 2023 to discuss ways to strengthen civil society participation in the EU and its Member States, and provide feedback to shape ongoing research.
Webinar participants will have a unique opportunity to influence ongoing research by contributing their insights, as their input will be actively considered during the finalisation of the ECNL research on participatory tools as well as the updated EU Law Handbook. Your participation can directly impact the research's outcomes and conclusions.
Please note that the event consists of two sessions, with separate registration links! You may choose to attend only one session, or join both, but kindly register for each session individually.
Day 1: Tools to increase inclusive participation in the EU (26 Sept., 10:00-12:00 CET)
What are the good practices of novel tools already used to increase participation? What are the gaps and opportunities for reform? A new ECNL research identifies key safeguards and new horizons of participation in the EU with focus on online platforms, gamification and some other tools. Join the discussion with practitioners who have put such novel tools into action and consider the methods that policymakers can leverage to facilitate inclusive discussions with civil society.
Register to Day 1 via Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vdeCvqj4uH9cu91xOpcys77lst9OwqtZn#/registration
Day 2: Tools to uphold the rule of law in the EU (27 Sept., 10:00-11:30 CET)
Join the webinar to find out more from ECNL and Philea about the updated version of the Handbook on How to Use EU Law to Protect Civic Space, which highlights how CSOs can use EU participatory tools to uphold the rule of law. Originally published in May 2020, the user-friendly guide for CSOs, philanthropic organisations as well as lawyers offers an overview of EU law arguments and legal avenues available to defend their civic rights and freedoms in the EU. The webinar will offer the opportunity to discuss the effectiveness of such tools with EU institutions’ representatives, gather feedback on experiences of engagement in such tools (or lack thereof) and proposals for improvement. Feedback from webinar participants will inform the final version of the Handbook, to be launched by the end of the year.
Register to Day 2 via Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtd-Cgrj0oHNNLu_Liyw0dHlmpnpoXedE7#/registration
The webinars are organised within the framework of the ParticipatiON Project, funded by the European Union and co-financed by the Network of European Foundation – Civitates.