ITS Phase 4 (2007-2009)

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INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY - 4th PHASE ITS (to see phase 3 click here)

ECAS NGO capacity-building project "Connecting the EU and Neighbourhood civil society" has been selected by C.S. Mott foundation and will run till mid 2009. It will enable ECAS to pursue the overall objective of ITS programme in the EU neighbourhood - creating a viable capacity among the civil society organisations in Western Balkans and Eastern Europe to deal with the EU.

Project implementation in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe will be based on a continuation of the implemented project activities and partnerships developed within the previous ITS project phase. Civil society has always played a crucial role in maintaining links between citizens beyond the borders and political engagements. In this context, the role of the CSOs from new member states is especially important as these states are undergoing a similar transition process having been part of the same political and social regime under the Soviet period.

The project "Connecting the EU and Neighbourhood civil society" will continue to promote the partnership building encouraging the transfer of experience and know-how between NGOs in the new member states and their counterparts in the EU neighbouring countries. The new project will also enable ECAS to continue hosting "scholars" who will spend one month in Brussels to familiarize themselves with EU institutions, European NGO network and policy agenda in particular area of interest. Last, but not least, the new component of ITS programme - Advocacy - has been integrated. Why so? During the first ITS phases the situation was clear, there was no doubts about EU accession and the upcoming EU funds, so there was no necessity to advocate, only to train the NGOs on the new financial procedures they would have to cope with in the framework of structural funds once they became EU members. The slowing down of the enlargement process, the ambiguities of the European Neighbourhood Policy underline the importance of the stronger inclusion of civil society dimension in the EU external policies. Due to its advocacy experience at the EU level and its expertise in the Western Balkan region and Eastern Europe, ECAS is well placed to bring the concerns of civil society organisations from the Neighbourhood countries to the attention of the EU.

ECAS will call on the EU to develop a coherent and coordinated strategy towards civil society in the neighbouring countries aiming to create a sustainable EU civic space across the borders.

Summary of the ITS - Phase 4

4TH PHASE ITS PROJECTS

In the framework of the Information, Training and Scholarship programme ECAS is implementing a broad range of activities in the Western Balkans, Turkey and Eastern Europe. As the training and information needs vary from one country to another we are applying a country-by-country approach, meaning that NGOs from each country will be able to choose to participate in specific parts of the ITS programme according to their needs and expectations.

Currently ECAS has been implementing the following projects:

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ITS Phase 4 (2007-2009)

LJUBLJANA CONFERENCE