The Refugee Crisis and The Schengen Dilemma

U-Impact Launches Active Citizens for Common European Solutions (ACCES) Initiative

In the heat of the refugee crisis U-Impact launched the Active Citizens for Common European Solutions (ACCES) initiative aimed at increased citizen involvement in the decision-making about refugees and freedom of movement in the EU. The initiative was launched at a citizen cross-border debate organized by the U-Impact partner in Romania NACAB on  September 18. ACCES will work with civil society organizations and the Relevant European institutions to have citizens from the EU, the candidate countries and the European Neighborhood actively involved in the current debate about freedom of movement and solidarity in Europe.

Watch the Bucharest Debate Re-Live here.

See the profiles of the Speakers at the Bucharest Debate here.

See the NACAB policy paper on Free Movement, Schengen and the Refugee Crisis.

Go here for more on U-Impact.

Active Citizens for Common European Solutions (ACCES) Initiative Launched

In the heat of the refugee crisis U-Impact launches a citizen initiative on the freedom of movement and refugee dilemma facing European citizens and EU leaders. The focus is on active civil society involvement in the political debates about the refugees, about European solidarity and about the basic freedom of movement. The U-Impact initiative aims at getting citizens from the EU, the candidate countries and the European Neighborhood actively involved in the current debate about freedom of movement and solidarity in Europe. The ACCES initiative was announced at the Bucharest debate on Schengen and the refugee crisis on September 18,2015

Find out more and support ACCES here.

JoiEU Gets Quoted in Official EU Report on the 2014 European Elections

 ReportJoiEU became one of only three citizen projects specifically   mentioned as positive examples of citizen action in the Report on the 2014 European Parliament elections, a Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions

The Report on European Parliament Elections says:

“Civil society organisations were actively involved in efforts to mobilise voters, e.g. they informed citizens about the importance and benefit of participating in the European elections they made e-tools available to help voters select a candidate matching their preferences or worked towards more inclusive policies to ensure access for persons with disabilities…Examples of NGO projects funded by the Programme Europe for Citizens Enabling EU citizens to reflect on, discuss, exchange on European issues, including with candidates, and make an informed choice in the elections:
JoiEU: Joint Citizen Action for a Stronger, Citizen-friendly Union (European Citizen Action service – ECAS)”.

  Honestly, being noticed at this level is a bit of a surprise, but also a great honor and a challenge. I want to thank all our partners for making JoiEU a success. We’ve raised the bar, next time we have to be even better!

Petko Georgiev, Chairman of ProInfo, the leading organization of JoiEU

While JoiEU project activities ended in January 2015 with the Brussels Conference on Digital Democracy, many JoiEU  partners have continued their work together for active citizen participation in Europe in the U-Impact joint policy initiative. Follow us also also on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube!

The Forward-looking Close Out: Digital Democracy in Europe!

final

On January 27, 2015 The European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) organized the final debate of the JoiEU Series in Brussels . Unlike most final events, it  looked forward, beyond the end of the project and into the future of participatory digital democracy in Europe.

 

The debate “Digital Democracy in Europe” attracted over 110 participants from a host of EU countries and focused on :

  • Shaping Policies through E-participation;
  • Shaping Policies through E-participation;
  • Bridging E-participation and Co-legislating at EU Level.

See the Digital Democracy Conference agenda and watch the debate RELIVE HERE!

 

The Day of Citizens for Europe in Split, Croatia: The role of youth in shaping EU policies

Cenzura Plus_Croatia2

On January 23, 2015 JoiEU Croatian partners Cenzura Plus organized a debate on the role of young Europeans in shaping EU policies. The debate focused on youth involvement into policy making in Croatia and the EU and employment measures for the “NEET population” (Not in education, employment or training)

Youth and Policy Making in the EU Debate Agenda

You can watch the debate RELIVE HERE –

Some background reading material:

Continue reading →

The Debate on Philanthropy in Europe – Prague

Neziskovky New  On December 9 2014 JoiEU partner in the Czech   Republic, Neziskovky.cz organized the debate ”Civil Society and Philanthropy” within “Day of Citizens for Europe”. Partner of the event on the Czech part was the Czech Fundraising Centre.

The debate gathered representatives of civil society organizations,  relevant government institutions, EU, media, and partners of the project from Bulgaria, Albania, Estonia and others.

During the debate which was webcast live over 50 participants from five countries shared their experience in the following areas:

  • How does the European Union foster the development of Civil Society.
  • How can banks  support and develop philanthropy?
  • How to address donors? What do donors need?
  • European Funds in New Operation Scheme of 2014-2020.
  • Private Giving in the Czech Republic: its present and prospects.

 

Watch the debate RELIVE HERE:

Some additional reading:

Continue reading →

Keeping Europe Open – Debate in Belgrade

Center for Development of Non-Profit Sector_Serbia   On November 13, 2014 JoiEU partner in Serbia, Center for Development of Non-profit Sector hosted the debate ” The Keeping Europe Open”. The debate gathered representatives of relevant government institutions, EU Delegation, civil society organizations, media, and partners of the project from Bulgaria, Belgium and Albania.

The road to the European Union, except the official negotiation process requires mutual openness in holding open the door of Europe. On the one hand, our relationship to Europe through the institutional framework and the view of civil society, and on the other, responding to the openness of the EU to our country. Where are we and what can we expect?

Watch the debate RELIVE HERE:

For background material….

Continue reading →