EU Country Roadmaps for Engagement with Civil Society
The European Commission adopted the Communication “The Roots of democracy and sustainable development: Europe’s engagement with Civil Society in external relations” in September 2012. It is a joint initiative between the European Union (EU) and Member States and aims at strengthening the EU’s and Member States’ strategic engagement with civil society in partner countries.
In this framework, the 2012 Communication explicitly calls for the development of EU Country Roadmaps for Engagement with Civil Society. They are the common strategic framework through which the EU Delegation and EU Member States engage at country level with civil society with a view to support their empowerment.
By enhancing the impact, predictability and visibility of EU actions, Roadmaps intend to improve the consistency of EU cooperation vis-à-vis civil society - across sectors, funding instruments and technical support. They progressively promote better coordination among the EU Delegation, Member States and other relevant actors.
The Roadmaps are elaborated, endorsed and implemented in countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Pacific and the Neighbourhood region. The drafting of Roadmaps has been a joint responsibility between EU Delegations and Member States. Non-EU donors with substantial civil society engagement might also have been involved where relevant and feasible.
The first generation of Roadmaps covered the period 2014-2017 while a second generation covered the period 2018-2020. Currently the third generation are operative mostly from 2021 - 2024.