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Resilient democracies in the EaP and the EU: Strengthening civil society’s capacities

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This Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Working Group 4 policy paper highlights the role of non-formal/informal education and empowerment of marginalised groups and how media literacy can be leveraged to combat mis/disinformation.

The paper insists on the role that lifelong learning can play in reaching sustainable development and digital transformation goals. It also proposes to establish new ways of communicating between the European Union and Eastern Partnership to enhance regional cooperation and ensure the participation of civil society in decision-making and in countering anti-democratic and autocratic tendencies.  

We invite you to read and download the policy paper below.

Please note this policy paper was launched during a public event on 13 May 2025. A summary of the discussion can be found here.

EaP CSF Policy Paper WG4Download

Advancing Economic and Digital Transformation in the Eastern Partnership region

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This EaP CSF policy paper highlights how civil society organisations contribute to advancing digital transformation by fostering inclusive governance, advocating for transparency, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in leveraging digital tools.   

The paper assesses the policies and frameworks that facilitate the active participation of civil society in economic and digital transformation, highlighting both the opportunities and barriers they encounter.  

Through an analysis of success stories from various EaP countries, it identifies best practices that have led to tangible improvements in digital governance and economic resilience. The paper also provides strategic recommendations for CSOs, national authorities, and the donor community, emphasising the need for structured collaboration, capacity-building initiatives, and policy adjustments to foster sustainable digital and economic transformation in the EaP region. 

We invite you to read the policy paper below or the summary from the launch event here.

EaP CSF Policy Paper Working Group 2Download

Advancing democratisation in the Eastern Partnership countries: the role of CSO in national reforms and European integration

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This EaP CSF policy paper highlights the main challenges faced by civil society in effectively participating in decision-making processes for national reforms aimed at democratisation in the Eastern Partnership countries.

In the Eastern Partnership, civil society remains a trusted partner and agent of change, promoting European values and sustainable democratic reform.  

Civil society continues to play a key role in pushing for democratic reforms, ensuring accountability, and sustaining public engagement in European integration. However, shrinking civic spaces, growing state repression against civic activists, media and civil society, and the absence of structured participation mechanisms undermine its effectiveness. The halt of the US funding is further impacting civil society’s capacity to operate and remain relevant.    

The paper analyses the state of play and best practices that could be employed to strengthen the role of civil society in promoting democratic transformation and rule of law reforms across all EaP countries.       

We invite you to read the policy paper below.

Please note, the policy paper was launched during a public event on Wednesday 14 May 2025. A summary of the discussion can be found here.

EaP CSF Policy Paper WG1Download

Enhancing social dialogue for social justice and decent work policies across the EaP

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How can social dialogue be enhanced to implement social justice and decent work policies across the Eastern Partnership countries? 

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum is pleased to introduce its Working Group 5 policy paper. The paper examines how social partners and civil society can play a more active and meaningful role in strengthening social dialogue across Eastern Partnership countries.  

The paper specifically explores the mechanisms through which civil society organisations can contribute to the formulation and implementation of social justice and decent work policies. It focuses on identifying concrete actions that can be taken to enhance participation of social partners and civil society in social dialogue processes, while considering the unique political, economic, and social contexts of different EaP countries. 

Launch event

This policy paper was launched during a hybrid roundtable on Tuesday 6 May. A summary of the discussion can be read here.

Additional resources

You can read and download the policy paper below:

EaP CSF Policy WG5 FinalDownload

EaP CSF contributions to the European Commission Enlargement Package 2025 

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EaP CSF contributions to the European Commission Enlargement Package 2025 

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum conducted a consultation on enlargement with civil society organisations from the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia, which are EaP countries with an EU candidate status.  The European Commission will adopt its annual Enlargement Package 2025 later in the year, providing a detailed assessment of the state of play and progress made by these countries on their respective paths towards EU accession.  

In June 2024, the EU officially opened accession negotiation with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The first cluster of the EU acquis to be opened will be the ‘fundamental’ cluster, which includes the foundations of the rule of law and democracy and focuses on reforms that will determine the overall pace of negotiations.   

In view of the European Commission Enlargement Package 2025, the EaP CSF consultation focused on issues pertaining to Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights and Chapter 24: Justice, freedom and security of the EU acquis, which will be the first two chapters to be opened within the fundamentals cluster.  

Here are some key country highlights and recommendations that we issued to the European Commission: 

Georgia  

  • Independent Judiciary and Media: There is a pressing need for reforms to ensure the independence and transparency of the judiciary, protect media freedom, and safeguard the rights of journalists. This includes preventing political interference in judicial processes, ensuring timely and accessible court decisions. 
  • Protection of Civil Liberties: Immediate action is needed to halt the crackdown on civil society, including the repeal of restrictive laws like the “foreign agents” law, and to protect the rights to freedom of assembly, speech, and protest. Strengthening the legal framework to prevent the misuse of state power and ensuring the fair treatment of activists and journalists, free and fair elections are critical steps toward restoring public trust in democratic institutions. 

Moldova 

  • Functioning of the judiciary: The vetting of the members of the Supreme Court of Justice is progressing; the main challenge is the selection of non-judge members. Despite the regular information sessions with law professionals, academia and civil society specialists conducted by the Ministry of Justice and Superior Council of Magistracy to compete for the positions of non-judge members, few candidates applied. The vetting of the courts of appeal is ongoing. The main issue is the lack of human resources at the Court of Appeal of Chișinău and other courts, such as Comrat and Cahul, while temporary measures adopted by the Superior Council of Magistracy to delegate temporary judges from other courts to the courts of appeal are not ideal in the mid-to-long term. Moreover, the vetting of prosecutors should be sped up as no major progress has been made. 
  • Fight against corruption and organised crime: The announced reform to create a new specialised anti-corruption and fight against organised crime prosecutor’s office by dissolving the Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (APO) risks jeopardising current and future investigation of high-level corruption and criminal organised crimes. An ex-ante thorough assessment of feasibility, clear roadmap for implementation and transition period should be conducted. Effectively implementation of the reform ahead of autumn’s parliamentary elections, when cases of vote-buying schemes will intensify, looks unrealistic. The APO is still in the process of being reformed; the Office still lacks human, technical and financial resources and requires a higher number of prosecutors, investigation officers, equipment and specialists. A temporary measure is to create a special unit within the General Prosecutor’s Office tasked with monitoring cases of high-level corruption, and joint investigation teams of prosecutors to work on high-level political corruption cases.  
  • Fundamental rights: At present, no legislation or responsible body handling cases of breaches of human rights in the Transnistrian region is in place. Civil society calls on the Moldovan authorities to set up a responsible body tasked with implementing normative acts and inform the people from the Transnistrian region about the procedures to follow on such cases. 

Ukraine

  • Independent Judiciary: civil society calls for the continued implementation of justice reforms and the judiciary, and for the inclusion of civil society and international experts in decision-making processes. Ukraine’s Judicial Reform Roadmap should outline all the key reforms that Ukraine must implement to receive green light for EU accession. Judicial selection should involve international experts – this mechanism should be preserved until Ukraine’s judicial system meets European standards. This would safeguard the impartiality and credibility of the system. These reforms are essential for fostering a judiciary that is both independent and resistant to corruption, thereby for strengthening public trust in the rule of law. 
  • Independent Media: Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has severely impacted independent media. Journalists face physical danger and continue to struggle with the economic consequences of the war. Russian interference, propaganda, and cyberattacks pose significant challenges. The situation has been further exacerbated by the USAID funding freeze, which threatens media independence and could lead to increased control by oligarchs and foreign propaganda. Civil society calls to prioritise journalists’ physical and digital safety and to develop independent and transparent financial support systems for independent media to counter disinformation. 

New EaP CSF interim Director

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Martin will lead the work of the EaP CSF Secretariat during current Director Tania Marocchi’s upcoming maternity leave.

A native from the Czech Republic, Martin brings more than 20 years of experience in non-profit management having previously worked for Caritas and the Danish Refugee Council. He is also familiar with the Eastern Partnership region having recently led Oxfam’s regional Response Programme in Ukraine.

“Martin brings a wealth of experience that can greatly support the advancement of EaP CSF’s mission and activities. During my absence, he will continue supporting the contribution of EaP civil society organisations in  political debates and policy reforms. The beginning of 2025 shows us, if ever there was a need, that the voice of civil society is even more essential to bolster our democratic values. I am confident Martin’s wealth of experience and regional knowledge will help the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum in supporting the democratic and European aspirations of our friends in the Eastern Partnership” declared Tania Marocchi, Director of the EaP CSF Secretariat.

“I am delighted to take on this role as interim director of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. Recent political developments have shown both the great upheaval of the international world order of the last 70 years but also the strong aspirations for democracy and freedom of citizens and civil society organisations across the Eastern Partnership. I look forward to working with our partners towards the European future of our Eastern Partnership neighbours” said Martin Vane, interim Director of the EaP CSF Secretariat.

Towards a new, European chapter in Armenia’s history

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We, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) and its Armenian National Platform welcome the adoption by the Armenian National Assembly of the law launching the Republic of Armenia’s accession process to the European Union. This marks a pivotal and historic moment that confirms Armenia’s strategic orientation and places European integration at the core of its state-building agenda.

As stated in the newly adopted law:

“The Republic of Armenia, aiming to develop democratic institutions, improve the well-being of society, strengthen the country’s security, resilience, and the rule of law, declares the launch of the process of the Republic of Armenia’s accession to the European Union.”

This declaration is far more than symbolic. It carries profound political, legal, and societal significance. It lays the foundation for a new chapter in Armenia’s modern history, anchored in the principles of democracy, human rights, good governance, and the rule of law. At a time of mounting geopolitical challenges, this step brings clarity to Armenia’s foreign policy direction and opens the path toward a lasting peace, development, and security within a European framework.

Armenian civil society has been a steadfast advocate for European integration. Over the past decade, the Armenian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum has consistently supported reforms aligned with EU standards, promoted participatory democracy, and contributed to the strengthening of public institutions. A clear reflection of this commitment is the fact that the draft law titled “On the Launch of the Process of the Republic of Armenia’s Accession to the European Union” was submitted to the National Assembly through the efforts of the “Eurovote” civic initiative, whose founding members are primarily representatives of organisations within the EaP CSF Armenian National Platform.

Commending its efforts to bring Armenia closer to EU, we call on the Government of Armenia to:

  • Develop and publish a comprehensive national strategy for EU accession, based on a transparent and inclusive consultation process involving civil society and other stakeholders,
  • Establish a detailed roadmap with clear timelines, reform priorities, and measurable benchmarks aligned with the Copenhagen criteria,
  • Resolve institutional and legal inconsistencies that could hinder the start of the EU integration process, most notably by formally expressing Armenia’s intention to withdraw from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Despite the existing agreements with the EAEU, significant steps have been taken to reduce Armenia’s dependencies on Russia and to strengthen Armenia’s security resilience,
  • Establish a dedicated Minister position tasked with leading and coordinating the EU accession agenda, oversee inter-agency efforts, and drive the implementation of European reforms. This proposal has already been supported by civil society, MPs and non-parliamentary democratic political forces.

We also urge the Armenian Government to initiate formal dialogue with the European Union on signing a new, updated agreement that reflects the logic and spirit of the newly adopted law, including provisions for the establishment of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). These steps are essential to unlocking the full benefits of European integration: access to EU markets, increased investment, innovation, and institutional reform mechanisms that support long-term stability and prosperity.

At the same time, we call on the EU and its Member States to:

  • Intensify political dialogue with the Armenian Government to strengthen Armenia’s resilience. Armenia’s closer integration with the EU strengthens its resilience amid foreign and regional threats. Physical and hybrid threats in the form of foreign information manipulation, interference and cyber-attacks continue to undermine the security architecture of the country and will intensify in view of 2026 parliamentary elections. The continued presence of the EU’s civilian monitoring mission along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border is vital and must be maintained until a lasting peace agreement is signed by both sides and durable confidence-building measures are in place. Armenian civil society continues to play a vital role in strengthening Armenia’s socio-economic resilience and enhancing human security in the country.
  • Facilitate further EU integration in light of Armenia’s explicitly articulated European aspirations, bolster its relations with Armenia and support the Armenian Government and the people of Armenia in the country’s democratic path towards a fully-fledged ‘3+1’ approach that includes the Trio Associated countries and Armenia,
  • Provide staunch political support to peace efforts and facilitate the unblocking of transport links with Azerbaijan.

Civil society must be recognised as a strategic partner in both Armenia’ decision-making and Armenia’s bilateral relations with the EU. Public engagement, civic monitoring, inclusive and meaningful participation in policymaking are vital to ensure that the EU integration process is not only successful but also reflects the will of the Armenian people.

Armenia’s decision to launch the EU accession process is a bold and forward-looking choice. One that will reshape Armenia’s role in the region. It sends a clear message to the Armenian citizens, EU and international partners: Armenia’s future lies in a democratic, secure, and rule of law-based Europe.

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and its Armenian National Platform stand ready to accompany and support this historic journey – through expertise, dialogue, and active engagement – so that European integration becomes not just a foreign policy goal, but a lived and inclusive reality for all in Armenia.

The Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and the Armenian National Platform

Additional resources

Read or download the statement in PDF below.

Statement – Towards a new, European chapter in Armenia’s historyDownload

Open letter on improvements to the Ukraine Facility Regulation

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On 28 February, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum co-signed an open letter proposing improvement to the Ukraine Facility Regulation.

The letter was addressed to Commissioner for Enlargement, Ms Marta Kos; Director-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood, Mr Gert Jan Koopman and Eu AMbassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, H.E. Katarína Mathernová.

The text of this letter is available below and a PDF copy, with annex and full list of signatories, at the bottom of this page.

Dear Commissioner Kos, Director-General Koopman, and Ambassador Mathernová,

We, the undersigned Ukrainian and European civil society organisations, appeal to you concerning the implementation of the Ukraine Facility Regulation as it reaches its one-year mark.

In light of recent geopolitical developments, the Ukraine Facility now more than ever constitutes a vital support mechanism for Ukraine, providing EUR 50 billion over the 2024-2027 period. This funding is helping Ukraine in its efforts to maintain macro-financial stability, promote recovery, and strengthen governance on its path to EU accession.

However, we believe the Ukraine Facility could have a far greater impact. To this end, we urge the European Commission to consider the following recommendations:

  • Increase the quality of documents produced within the Ukraine Plan to be conducive to effective implementation and sustainable reforms.
  • Improve the visibility and transparency of the Ukraine Investment Framework for the public and civil society organisations.
  • Streamline climate and environmental objectives, including biodiversity conservation and the principle of ‘do no significant harm’, ensuring they apply to 20 per cent of total financing under the Ukraine Investment Framework and investments within the Ukraine Plan.
  • Establish a platform for civil society organisations to submit their opinions along with a procedure for transparently tracking and incorporating their opinions into official documents.
  • Ensure Ukrainian municipalities receive access to 20 per cent direct financial support from the Ukraine Plan through newly developed methodologies for submitting project concepts for public investment funding.
  • Prioritise grant support for Ukrainian civil society organisations.

We hope these recommendations will also contribute to the Commission’s annual report to the European Parliament and Council on progress towards achieving the objectives of the Ukraine Facility Regulation.

More detailed recommendations are provided in the Annex to this letter (see below).

Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

Additional resources

Click here to download the open letter.