Target audience

Approx. 250 persons from Latvia and other EU countries representing NGOs, policy and decision makers and opinion leaders/experts. Participation of representatives from EEA Countries, a delegation from the European Economic and Social Committee and its Liaison Group and EU-wide NGO networks. Guests from EU neighbouring countries are welcome.

2.

Background information

·         Eurobarometer and other surveys point to a great need for closer ties between decision makers and citizens. People want to be more involved in decision making at a local, national and EU level. People want to understand why decisions are made in a particular way and they want to contribute to the quality of decisions.

·         Involvement in decision making at different levels and phases is an indication of good governance and has a stable legal grounding in Article 11.1 and 11.2 of the Treaty on European Union (Lisbon Treaty). Direct implementation is still lacking in several aspects. The EU 2020 Strategy review offers a chance for immediate action. EU level decisions have a major impact on the lives of people at local, national and EU levels and everything should be discussed prior to a decision being made. Synergies of participation at national and EU level decision making are possible and necessary.

·         The European Parliaments Own initiative report on Improving of the functioning of the EU, building on the Lisbon Treaty potential, and other Institutions commitment shows a unique chance of getting much needed progress on track, e.g. by starting a RIGA PROCESS ON PARTICIPATION and designing/agreeing on a Road Map for the implementation of Article 11.1 and 11.2, civil and structural dialogue needs to be implemented properly to make all, including less privileged, voices heard at EU level.

·         Thanks to strong support from civil society organisations, one of three horizontal priorities of the Latvian Presidency in the EU Council is “Involvement” (along with “Sustainability” and “Innovation”).

Article 11.1 and 11.2 of the Treaty on European Union

1. The institutions shall, by appropriate means, give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action.

2. The institutions shall maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society.

3.

Aim

To get a progress agreement with key partners as regards implementing Article 11.1 and 11.2 of the Treaty on European Union (Lisbon Treaty).

4.

Objectives

·         To share best practice in governance, horizontal, vertical and structural dialogue including promotion of innovative / digital tools, thus improving representative associations’/civil society organisations’ (CSOs) and citizens’[1] participation in decision making at national and EU levels and interaction among each other;

·         To give necessary input and identify action to promote more active participation and involvement of civil society at national and EU levels, decisions related to the EU and interaction among each other (preparation phase will include a drafting of suggestions) including the identification of financial requirements and potential for the aforementioned aspects;

·         To agree on possible civil dialogue perspectives, a Road Map/Riga Process for implementing Article 11.1 and 11.2, including structural dialogue.

NGO_ForumRiga_Programme