EU Country Roadmaps for Engagement with Civil Society

The September 2012 Communication from the European Commission, “The Roots of democracy and Sustainable Development: Europe’s Engagement with Civil Society in External Relations”, envisages the elaboration of Roadmaps at the country level through a joint initiative between the European Union and Member States. The purpose is to develop a common strategic framework for the engagement of EU Delegations and Member States with civil society at the country level, with a view to improving the impact, predictability and visibility of EU actions. The process was formally launched in January 2014. In this video, Thomas Hansen from EuropeAid and Beatriz Sanz Corella, team leader of a facility set up by EuropeAid to support the Delegations, explain what’s involved, including: consulting civil society, analysing the legal and regulatory environment for civil society organisations to work effectively, reflecting on the role of the EU, deciding what priorities make sense in different countries, and agreeing specific actions to strengthen the EU's engagement with civil society.