www.seio.sr.gov.yu

Civil society and its role in the process of EU integration

Regional ConferenceThrough Cooperation towards Integration

Przno, 08 – 10th October

European integration Office

Government of Republic of Serbia

www.seio.sr.gov.yu

Serbian EU Communication Strategy Objectives

• Address the need to bring the EU Stabilization and Address the need to bring the EU Stabilization and Association Process (SAP) closer to the citizens of Association Process (SAP) closer to the citizens of SerbiaSerbia

• To explain the significance and necessity of reforms To explain the significance and necessity of reforms implemented within this process implemented within this process

• TTo o ensure that the citizens are timely and ensure that the citizens are timely and objectively informed on SAP and reforms induced objectively informed on SAP and reforms induced by this processby this process

• TTo enable prompt and accurate flow of information o enable prompt and accurate flow of information on overall governmental efforts and achievements on overall governmental efforts and achievements in EU integration process toward EU member statesin EU integration process toward EU member states

MAIN MAIN MESSAGEMESSAGE - - EU ASSOCIATION PROCESS = TRANSITIONEU ASSOCIATION PROCESS = TRANSITION

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• Provide Provide a a reliable, easily accessible reliable, easily accessible and understandable informationand understandable information

• To raise the level and quality of To raise the level and quality of public debate/discussion on EU public debate/discussion on EU matters matters

• Ensuring citizens supportEnsuring citizens support

Communication Strategy Objectives

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4 standard elements:4 standard elements:

• Development and Development and implementation of implementation of communication strategy, communication strategy,

• Public opinion Public opinion popollls (twice a ls (twice a year),year),

• Strong cooperation with Strong cooperation with the the mediamedia

• SStrong cooperation with civil trong cooperation with civil sector/NGOs sector/NGOs

EU Communication Strategy – basic elements

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Expected results

• Informing active participants in the SAP and motivate

and encourage them to take their role and recognize

their obligations in a responsible and constructive way

• Form a positive opinion of Serbian citizens on the EU

association process through better understanding of

the process and the accompanying reforms

• To reach greater social consensus and more effective

contribution to EU integration process from all

segments of Serbian society

• Form a positive opinion of the EU citizens and EU

officials on Serbian efforts and achievements in the

EU integration process

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Target groups

The key actors in the process and impact groups:• Media

• Political actors

• Civil servants

• Local authorities officials

• NGO

• Academic institutions

• Business community

• Students and youth

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Cooperation with civil sector

• Memorandum of cooperation with NGO’s in the European integration process, signed on July 12th 2005

Purpose: institutionalization of cooperation between the Office and NGO’s in the process of our country’s European integration, promotion of activities and coordination, as well as cooperation aimed at regular and objective citizens’ information about the European integration process (68 partner NGO’s until now - from all parts of Serbia)

• Memorandum of cooperation with Serbian Chamber of Commerce, signed in 2004

• Memorandum of cooperation with Universities in the European integration process, signed in October 2006

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Cooperation with civil sectorForms

• Regular contacts and exchange of information

• Joint projects and activities (mostly trainings and education)

• Facilitation of contacts between the NGO’s and potential donors

• Joint organization of the Europe Day and other EU related information campaings

• Regular meetings organized by the SEIO (exchange of information on the process of EU integration, consultations and preparations of new projects and initiatives…)

• Recommendation of partner NGOs projects to the donors

• Representatives of SEIO are often lecturers at NGO trainings dedicated to the EU

• Joint organization of conferences and round tables

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Cooperation with the media

• Everyday communication with the media

• Media trainings (priority is given to local media)

• Media campaign - “Did you know?” (daily newspaper)

• Competition for best media report on European integrations (together with the EC Delgation in Belgrade)

• Press corner on SEIO website

• Evronet (daily TV show on EU integration issues, broadcast on national TV in 2006 supported by our Office )

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Key challenges

• To keep the public aware, not to raise false expectations

• Media attention is not driven by the EU integration issues (the topic is not very interesting for the media)

• Proper articulation of civil society initiatives into relevant project proposals

• Financial support

• Systematic cooperation of all relevant stakeholders

• Responsibility of politicians

• Involving the business sector

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Government of Serbia

European Integration Office

Nemanjina 34/V, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

www.seio.sr.gov.yu