About This Initiative2006 Activities
The East East: Partnership Beyond Borders Program uses grants to foster collaborative work among civil society organizations in more than one country, and develops initiatives that use exchanges to promote practical responses to social, economic, and cultural issues. The program is implemented in Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey, Central Asia, and Mongolia, and with institutional partners in Slovenia and Russia. The Subprogram for European Integration, launched in 2005, prioritizes exchanges that help people from EU states and future members share experience and expertise regarding the EU accession process.
The following briefs describe some of the East East: Partnership Beyond Borders Program activities and achievements in 2006.
Moldova and Latvia Share Experiences of Public Participation
One-hundred representatives from nongovernmental organizations and local and central authorities in Moldova and Latvia came together to discuss ways to strengthen collaborative efforts fostering democratic transformation in Moldova based on Latvia’s experience. The discussions in Chisinau engaged public attention about major issues of concern in Moldova, including the creation of a favorable environment for debating how civil society may contribute to the implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan.
Western Balkans Civil Society Promotes Dialogue with EU
Forty civil society organizations and networks in the Western Balkans met with representatives of Brussels-based networks to intensify dialogue and cooperation for a stronger partnership between the EU and NGOs, and for the creation of a civil society dialogue between the EU and candidate countries. Cooperation among civil society organizations in the EU and the Western Balkans is designed to contribute to a better understanding of their compatible interests and promotion of achievements in the Western Balkans as the region’s countries advance toward European integration.
Public Policy Standards Discussed at Forum
Participants in a forum organized by the Soros foundation in Kyrgyzstan discussed best practices for promoting the participation of civil society in implementing public policy standards in Central and Eastern Europe with the aim of adopting such practices in Central Asia. A working group of experts was formed to coordinate monitoring activities, including research and analysis, in the area of public policy standards.
