I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the biggest platform for cooperation between the EU and Eastern Partnership countries, especially when being one of the few voices from the EU.

Pavel Havlicek, Research Fellow at AMO – the Czech Association for International Affairs

Membership

Membership in the EaP CSF is open to all bona fide civil society organisations from the EaP countries and EU member states that are active in the EU Eastern Neighbourhood or that are working on the thematic priorities of the EaP CSF. Applicants must be non-governmental, non-partisan (not affiliated institutionally to a political party) organisations that respect democratic values.

If you fulfil the eligibility requirements above, you can

As an EaP-based organisation:

Apply to become a member of your country’s EaP CSF National Platform (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine). This also grants you membership in the EaP CSF.
Once every two years, apply to become a delegate to the EaP CSF.

As an EU-based organisation:

Be recommended by two EaP CSF members to join. The recommendation letter template is available here and our list of members available below.
Once every two years, apply to become a delegate to the EaP CSF.

Members benefits

Advocacy

Improve your advocacy strategies by engaging with the EaP CSF

Access EU institutions, member states and EaP policymakers through EaP CSF channels;
Participate in EU-driven consultations on EaP policy;
Participate in consultations organised by the Council of Europe, World Bank, European Investment Bank among other institutions;
Access tailor-made information about EaP-relevant EU news;
Access tools and attend trainings to help your advocacy work better back home.

Funding

Unlock new opportunities to secure funding by joining EaP CSF

Access to funding through the EaP CSF regranting scheme;
Be updated on upcoming funding opportunities;

Networking and Access to Policymakers

Develop your network of civil society and institutional contacts

Access to the Forum’s 1,200+ NGO members and their wealth of expertise;
Co-operate with civil society organisations from across the EaP and EU region on key issues;
Meeting organisations working in similar fields;
Access to European and regional networking opportunities.

Capacity Building

Develop your teams’ skills to better reach your objectives

Access to trainings, capacity building and advocacy visits;
Sharing of best practices and peer-learning through exchanges with colleagues and invited experts from all over Europe;

FAQ

01 What is the difference between a member and a delegate?

Members of the Forum are organisations who have taken part in at least one Annual Assembly/EaP Civil Society Summit and who have been admitted as EU members by the EaP CSF Secretariat or by members of one of the six National Platforms.

Delegates are selected every two years in line with the delegates’ selection criteria. Delegates participate actively in the two-year cycle, attending annual Working group meetings and Annual Assemblies, and enjoy voting rights at the level of the Forum.

In short: All delegates are members, but not all members are delegates, given that they may have already completed their cycle.

02 I participated in the Annual Assembly/EaP Civil Society Summit some years ago, is my organisation considered a member of the Forum?

Yes.

03 Somebody else from my organisation took part in the Annual Assembly/EaP Civil Society Summit in the past. Am I a member?

Yes. Membership in the EaP CSF is organisation-based and not person-based. Therefore, if your colleague has participated in one of our Annual Assemblies, it means that your organisation is a member of the Forum. Each organisation decides for itself who among their staff will be representing it in the EaP CSF.

04 My delegate cycle is finished. Can I re-apply to the next cycle?

Of course! You can always re-apply, we welcome returning delegates. At the same time, if you decide not to re-apply (of if your application is unsuccessful), you will continue enjoying membership benefits and access to the Forum life and its activities.

05 I attended an Annual Assembly/EaP Civil Society Summit in the past and I would like to reactivate my participation. Do I have to wait until the next EaP Civil Society Summit to do that?

Absolutely not! Since you attended an Annual Assembly/EaP Civil Society Summit in the past, it means that you are a Forum member, and this gives you the right to be involved in the activities of the Forum at any point of the year. You can, for example, participate in the re-granting scheme, represent the Forum at official EaP meetings, and a lot more… possibilities are endless! If you’re not sure how to get involved, write an email to our Membership and Governance Manager Pascal Willaumez pascal.willaumez@eap-csf.eu.

06 Is there any cost to becoming a member?

No, being a member is free!

07 I represent an EU-based organisation. Can I become a member of the EaP CSF?

EU civil society organisations can submit their application for membership to the EaP CSF Secretariat, by providing two letters of support from two existing Members or Delegates from two different countries. The applications are received and reviewed on a rolling basis, but at least every two months.

08 Who can recommend new EU-based organisations for EaP CSF membership?

EU civil society organisations that wish to become members of the Forum can be recommended by two current members of the Forum based in two different countries. A recommendation letter template is available here.

09 How many new EU-based organisations can a Forum member recommend?

There is no limit in the number of recommendation letters that a member of the Forum can provide to support the accession of a new EU CSO in the Forum.

10 How can I terminate my EaP CSF membership?

The EaP CSF Membership terminates at the moment of:

Delivery to the relevant National Platform and the EaP CSF Secretariat of a written resignation letter in the case of EaP Members, and delivery to the EaP CSF Secretariat of a written resignation message in the case of EU members;

Expulsion from the EaP CSF or the National Platform, in line with a decision made by the Compliance Committee, Steering Committee, General Assembly, and National Platform in line with its regulation;

Dissolution of the EaP CSF;

Dissolution of the member organisation.