With the phrase civil society we mean the group of organizations and associations which represent the business world, groups that share a common interest or specific sectors of society, but which aren’t part of the world of government. In modern and contemporary societies, citizens create groups with different purposes, establishing environmental organizations, those for the defense of human rights, and recreational and sportive organizations.
The European Commission has decided, based on Plan D for democracy, dialogue and debate, to launch a series of initiatives for those people in the civil society who can promote dialogue and debate among the citizens about European topics. In particular, the Commission supported the creation of civil society roundtables which allow different Antennas to meet and get to know civil society associations.
In the same vein, the Europe Direct Antennas cooperate with CSV, voluntary service centers. The collaboration of these groups is intended to support CSV and all those associations which are connected to community issues, by providing training opportunities, synergies related to making known the opportunities offered by the European Union, and to finding community funding within programs of interest to CVS.
The work being done in conjunction with the CVS foresees the organization of formative activities for Centre operators, a more continuous and closer link between these structures and the ED Antennas, also by constantly sending our periodical publications in order to increase the amount of knowledge regarding European institutions’ activities and the funding possibilities offered by the European Union.