CONCEPT: In EaP countries common citizens are mostly unaware of the course European integration has taken for the last decade. People do not seem particularly interested in the issues of EU integration. In the result, the process seems to have ‘stagnated’ within the milieu of those who have stuck to the identity of ‘a promoter of European values’. Moreover, for many NGOs involved in the integration processes society does not appear to be a real stakeholder, and one of the major issues is the lack of adequate communication channels and tools. Therefore, identifying and implementing effective communication and engagement mechanisms in order to make the general public a real stakeholder in the EU integration process and develop a sense of ownership in EaP countries has become an imperative. Civil society organizations (CSO) in these countries are the primary players to address this need.

Thus, this project is envisaged to share case studies and lessons learned from all V4 countries which have been successful in engaging their societies in the EU integration processes. Thus a joint conference with built-in breakout sessions for EaP and V4 CSO representatives will be organized from 22-23 November, 2012 in Yerevan, Armenia, to facilitate discussions on specific tools and capacities needed for more effective CSO engagement in EaP countries. Based on the outcomes of these sessions scope of local trainings will be provided in each of the EaP partner countries (Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia) to enhance the engagement of local NGOs in the European integration processes.

ACTIVITIES: the project objectives will be achieved through the following activities:

• Joint conference with V4 and EaP partner countries in Yerevan
• Local trainings for NGOs in Yerevan
• Local trainings for NGOs in Tbilisi
• Local trainings for NGOs in Kiev