This year ECNL has launched a new initiative called "ParticipatiON". Aligned with Article 10(3) of the Treaty on European Union, this project seeks to empower civil society organisations (CSOs) and citizens to actively participate in policy processes both at the EU and national levels.
With the support provided by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, the project strives to identify emerging models for citizen participation, and raise awareness among EU institutions, civil society, and the broader public of such practices. Through training civil society practitioners and rights defenders as well as launching an online resource hub at the ECNL Learning Center, this initiative will equip CSOs with the tools and knowledge necessary to enhance meaningful participation in their own contexts.
At a seminar on empowering CSOs and human rights defenders, organised by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee, Eszter Hartay, Program Director of ECNL, spoke about the importance of EU institutions investing in strengthening social and civil dialogue. She emphasised that
"Existing gaps such as limited CSO participation in decision-making processes can be filled by leveraging innovative methods adapted from the national level. For example, the EU could test using interactive games and other emerging tools for civic engagement. This could show the potential of such methods to enhance deliberative participation and foster a more inclusive decision-making environment."
