Civil society and the media not well familiar with economic topics within EU accession process
Civil society, the media, business sector and other citizens of Serbia are not too familiar with the economic topics, i.e. the economy and finance chapters within the EU accession process, nor with the effects they introduce to our daily lives, which results in negotiation process not being enough open for citizens. Active following and engagement in these issues is important, since they involve nearly 3/4 of EU negotiations and directly affect all citizens of Serbia. Additionally, unlike the „political chapters“, the speed and willingness to implement reforms, as well as the chance of progress in economic areas, much more depends on the candidate countries, while all conditions have been fulfilled (upon the signing and entry into force of the Stabilization and Accession Agreement between the EU and RS). At the same time, progress in these areas, along with the rule of law, is what mostly affects the lives of all citizens.
Searching for the best manner to reach the civil society and build their capacities to protect the interest of citizens, the European Policy Center, together with web portal European Western Balkans, organized the workshop at the House of Human Rights in Belgrade. The workshop was attended by members of several working groups of the National Convention on EU monitoring the economic issues within the accession process.
The workshop discussed the key communication tools, messages and channels to be used in communication, as well as the content and manner of transferring messages in order to reach the broadest possible audience, with the aim of ensuring the media and civil society to actively engage in this part of negotiation and make the process entirely open for citizens.
The comments and conclusions from the workshop will be incorporated in the Strategy for Raising Awareness about the importance of more active civil society engagement and media informing in the process of monitoring the economic chapters in EU negotiations. The Strategy will be developed in the upcoming period and will be made available online.
This workshop is organized within the project Prepare to Participate, financed by the EU Delegation in Serbia within the Civil Society Facility program (CSF) aimed at strengthening democracy and EU integration process by empowering civil society to actively engage in decision making. The project is implemented by European Policy Center, NALED and European Western Balkans.
*Izvor: cep.org.rs