The Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe visits Member States to meet local NGOs and public authorities to introduce them to the Conference of INGOs, better understand the cooperation between NGOs and decision-makers and to discuss NGO participation in the public decision-making process. Certain legal frameworks are in place in countries in order to consult NGOs and to associate them in decision-making. 

The Conference hears the point of view of both NGOs and authorities to find out what use is made of these participatory tools. Each visit is followed by a report which highlights the important issues for the NGOs at that specific moment and socio-political context. Recommendations are formulated to improve the effectiveness of cooperation between NGOs and the public authorities. The findings of the visits also contribute to advancing the Council of Europe’s work in this field.

The participation of civil society in decision-making is one of the priorities of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and guidelines on civil society’s effective and meaningful participation in the political decision-making process are being developed for possible adoption by the Committee of Ministers.       

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Follow-up to the visit to Poland on 1 and 2 June by the President of the Conference of INGOs
Civil participation in the decision-making process

On 1 and 2 June, a delegation of the Conference of INGOs met with Polish NGOs and public authorities in Warsaw to discuss NGO participation in the decision-making process.

The report of the visit will be available in in September.  However, as of now, the Conference urges the governmental authorities, to take a clear and strong position against hate speech, of which some NGOs, their members, as well as individual persons are victim.

The Conference would also like to underline that the equal treatment of associations concerns also their access to public funding. The reasons for refusing or granting funding must be substantial and respectful of pluralism and political opinions expressed by NGOs. These principles are enounced in the joint OSCE/ODIHR-Venice Commission Guidelines on Freedom of Association (2015).

The effectiveness of public consultations in the legislative process, the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of minorities and of migrants must constitute another priority.

The Conference of INGOs thanks participants for the very constructive meetings.

Report (EN), (Report in Polish)

Comments on the report by the Polish Government

Strasbourg 17 June 2016
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