As part of the initiative "Let's speak about the negotiations," Belgrade Open School with the support of Open Society Foundation organized a workshop - "How civil society can contribute to transparent and participative process of negotiations on Chapter 27". Workshop was held on 23 and 24 May 2016  in Andrevlje, Fruska Gora.

The workshop was aimed to promote transparent, accountable and inclusive process of negotiations on accession to the EU, based on dialogue and partnership between civil society and public authorities.

With this workshop BOS wanted to achieve: 

 - Closer involvement of local communities in the negotiation process and to increase the influence of civil society in monitoring the application of the acquis in the field of environmental protection. 

- Advancing the quality of the monitoring process and contribution in the negotiations with the EU which civil society organizations provide

-Networking of civil society organizations that monitor chapter 27

 We believe it is essential that the negotiations are based on the facts and on progress achieved at the local level and we want to achieve that through the strengthening of cooperation between civil society organizations.

The workshop program is based on the positive example of the Coalition 27, which is a platform for joint participation of civil society organizations in the process of adopting the standards and values of the European Union in the field of environmental protection in the Republic of Serbia. Coalition 27 follows the process of harmonization and implementation of policies and regulations of the Republic of Serbia with the EU acquis in the field of environment and climate change and contribute to this process. Coalition 27 advocates and encourages public participation in the process of accession negotiations with the EU and the Republic of Serbia and proposes solutions that will contribute to the protection and improvement of the environment and quality of life of citizens.

In addition to numerous organizations and initiatives active in the field of environmental policy, cooperation was initiated with partners from Montenegro’ Coalition 27, whose representatives were guests of the workshop.

Author of the photo: Belgrade Open School