www.seio.sr.gov.yu

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Regional Conference Through Cooperation towards
Integration Przno, 08 10th October
Civil society and its role in the process of EU
integration
European integration Office Government of
Republic of Serbia
www.seio.sr.gov.yu
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Serbian EU Communication Strategy Objectives

• Address the need to bring the EU Stabilization
  and Association Process (SAP) closer to the
  citizens of Serbia
• To explain the significance and necessity of
  reforms implemented within this process
• To ensure that the citizens are timely and
  objectively informed on SAP and reforms induced
  by this process
• To enable prompt and accurate flow of information
  on overall governmental efforts and achievements
  in EU integration process toward EU member states
• MAIN MESSAGE -
• EU ASSOCIATION PROCESS TRANSITION

www.seio.sr.gov.yu
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Communication Strategy Objectives

• Provide a reliable, easily accessible and
  understandable information
• To raise the level and quality of public
  debate/discussion on EU matters
• Ensuring citizens support

www.seio.sr.gov.yu
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EU Communication Strategy basic elements

• 4 standard elements
• Development and implementation of communication
  strategy,
• Public opinion polls (twice a year),
• Strong cooperation with the media
• Strong cooperation with civil sector/NGOs

www.seio.sr.gov.yu
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Expected results

• Informing active participants in the SAP and
  motivate and encourage them to take their role
  and recognize their obligations in a responsible
  and constructive way
• Form a positive opinion of Serbian citizens on
  the EU association process through better
  understanding of the process and the accompanying
  reforms
• To reach greater social consensus and more
  effective contribution to EU integration process
  from all segments of Serbian society
• Form a positive opinion of the EU citizens and EU
  officials on Serbian efforts and achievements in
  the EU integration process

www.seio.sr.gov.yu
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Target groups

• The key actors in the process and impact groups
• Media
• Political actors
• Civil servants
• Local authorities officials
• NGO
• Academic institutions
• Business community
• Students and youth

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Cooperation with civil sector

• Memorandum of cooperation with NGOs in the
  European integration process, signed on July 12th
  2005
• Purpose institutionalization of cooperation
  between the Office and NGOs in the process of
  our countrys European integration, promotion of
  activities and coordination, as well as
  cooperation aimed at regular and objective
  citizens information about the European
  integration process (68 partner NGOs until now -
  from all parts of Serbia)
• Memorandum of cooperation with Serbian Chamber of
  Commerce, signed in 2004
• Memorandum of cooperation with Universities in
  the European integration process, signed in
  October 2006

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Cooperation with civil sector Forms

• Regular contacts and exchange of information
• Joint projects and activities (mostly trainings
  and education)
• Facilitation of contacts between the NGOs and
  potential donors
• Joint organization of the Europe Day and other EU
  related information campaings
• Regular meetings organized by the SEIO (exchange
  of information on the process of EU integration,
  consultations and preparations of new projects
  and initiatives)
• Recommendation of partner NGOs projects to the
  donors
• Representatives of SEIO are often lecturers at
  NGO trainings dedicated to the EU
• Joint organization of conferences and round
  tables

www.seio.sr.gov.yu
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Cooperation with the media

• Everyday communication with the media
• Media trainings (priority is given to local
  media)
• Media campaign - Did you know? (daily
  newspaper)
• Competition for best media report on European
  integrations (together with the EC Delgation in
  Belgrade)
• Press corner on SEIO website
• Evronet (daily TV show on EU integration issues,
  broadcast on national TV in 2006 supported by our
  Office )

www.seio.sr.gov.yu
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Key challenges

• To keep the public aware, not to raise false
  expectations
• Media attention is not driven by the EU
  integration issues (the topic is not very
  interesting for the media)
• Proper articulation of civil society initiatives
  into relevant project proposals
• Financial support
• Systematic cooperation of all relevant
  stakeholders
• Responsibility of politicians
• Involving the business sector

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Government of Serbia European Integration
Office Nemanjina 34/V, 11000 Belgrade,
Serbia www.seio.sr.gov.yu
www.seio.sr.gov.yu