Source: EaP CSF

The Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) invites all interested parties to submit expressions of interest to participate in the highest decision-making body of the EaP CSF - its Annual Assembly. The next EaP CSF Annual Assembly will take place in the week of 23 October 2017. Every year the event brings together over 200 representatives of the civil society from the EaP region and the EU, as well as other stakeholders.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The Civil Society Forum is open to a wide range of civil society organisations (CSOs): NGOs, think tanks, non-profit foundations, trade unions, employers' organisations, professional associations, chambers of commerce, business associations, national and international CSOs/networks and other relevant civil society actors from the EaP region, but also from the EU Member States and international organisations.

One applicant organisation can be represented by only one person at the Annual Assembly. One person can represent only one CSO respectively.

CSOs dealing with women's issues/gender equality are encouraged to apply. The organisations are also encouraged to delegate women as their representatives to the Annual Assembly.

DEADLINE AND APPLICATION FORM

The deadline for the applications is 23:59 CET, 20 March 2017.

No late applications will be considered and no exceptions on late applications will be made. The results of the selection will be available on the EaP CSF website in June 2017 and all the applicants will receive the information on selection or non-selection.

To apply please complete the application form in English or Russian.

If you wish to work on a copy of this form offline, a Word document in English and Russian is available. Please note that all answers must still be submitted via the online form.

If you have any questions concerning the call for applications, please send them to [email protected].

PARTICIPANTS AND OBSERVERS

Only participants can vote during the Annual Assembly to elect the Steering Committee of the Forum and on any other matter raised at the Annual Assembly. Only participants can be elected to the Steering Committee.

Observers do not participate in any decision-making processes, however they can take part in the activities of the EaP CSF Working Groups, including the EaP CSF Re-granting Scheme.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Attendees will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Eligibility – applicants must be non-governmental, non-partisan (not affiliated institutionally with a political party) organisations that respect democratic values. They should also be bona fide, independent organisations in their own right.
• Diversity of spheres of activity – the involvement of all the major components of civil society and adequate representation for each of the thematic Working Groups and Subgroups should be ensured.
• Involvement in the EaP – applicants should be involved in activities relevant to the Eastern Partnership priorities.
• Involvement in the EaP CSF – we invite applicants who were actively involved in the activities of the previous EaP CSF Annual Assemblies, its National Platforms and Working Groups, as well as those who are ready to be actively contributing to the work of the CSF in 2017/2018.
• Rotation – whereby eligible, independent CSOs that have not participated in previous Annual Assemblies are given priority over those that have already participated.

The selection procedure will include several steps. To learn more about the selection procedure please follow the link.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The European Union (EU) is the main donor of the event and will fund the travel and hotel accommodation during the Annual Assembly for the selected CSOs only.

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