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EU integration process as an opportunity for CSOs influence on decision-making
Serbian CSOs clearly perceive the EU accession process as an opportunity for increased influence on domestic reforms stated Natasha Wunsch at the presentation of research findings held in BCSP library on 10 December 2013.
BCSP guest Natasha Wunsch, PhD candidate at University College London and Associate Fellow at German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), said that her findings show that CSOs use interactions with the EU extensively to shape conditionality and increase pressure on the national government.
„CSOs use the EU accession process for internal change and they use European standards as the argument they can always rely on. But they are also aware that they need to get as much as they can during the process, because afterwards it will probably be too late”, noted Wunsch.
She stressed out positive evidence for the use of EU consultations and direct contacts as a means to shape conditionality and pressure the government, but she said that the focus is still on EU-state relations. Wunsch also spoke about the influence of CSOs on domestic policy-making.
„CSOs have been able to improve their access to decision-making settings and become recognized as source of information and expertise, at least by EU actors. They also claim substantive impact in certain policy areas and try to affect the decision-making setting, but results remain to be seen“, concluded Wunsch.
At the event in BCSP library, Wunch presented to the members of BCSP research team and interested donor community research findings based on more than 40 interviews she conducted in Serbia and abroad, as a part of research for her PhD at London University. Within this analysis, the most attention was devoted to the role of Serbian NGOs in the negotiations regarding Chapter 23.
“My main focus was on Serbia because it is the largest country in the region and has very lively CSO scene. But in my final work I will also include additional chapter on Croatia to assess post-accession developmnents”, explained BCSP guest Natasha Wunsch.
The research included qualitative interviews with CSO, state and international actors (EU/donors) and documentary analysis (policy papers, written input on draft laws, national strategies, consultation reports, progress reports, evaluations etc.).
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