European Union

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) play a vital role in the reforms carried out in candidates country for EU membership as former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Their work can prove crucial in determining the pace and quality of the accession process, as well as generating public support for accession.

Responsibility for strengthening the role and influence of civil society in the enlargement countries lies primarily with the countries themselves. However, the European Commission is also willing to step up its own support for civil society development in these countries.

Besides a significant increase in financial assistance to civil society projects under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), the Commission intends to continue improving consultations with civil society representatives and work towards other measures to bolster civil society, for example by improving donor coordination and continuing work towards visa-free travel for citizens of the candidates and potential candidates.

Civil Society Facility European Instrument for Human Rights and Democracy Civil Society Dialogue and Consultations