Background

The relationship between the State and its citizens has never been more important with declining levels of trust worldwide.

In Europe as a whole disenchantment is widespread with falling turnout rates at elections and participation in traditional institutions. Over 60% of people in England and Wales believed they could not influence decisions affecting their local area in 2005. In response the UK has championed a new approach “Together We Can” which is led by Hazel Blears at the Dept of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Community Development Foundation. This is showing how working more closely with communities can strengthen democracy, revitalise neighbourhoods, improve education, health and justice.

In South East Europe these themes are equally potent with an urgent need to find ways of engaging with citizens who are either recent members of the EU – Bulgaria and Romania, part of the Accession group of countries (Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro) or Neighbourhood group (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey).  

Economic reform will create and require new roles for the State moving away from central command to more facilitative and decentralised ways of working. This product will help create and support the building of new relationships between the State and its citizens based on trust, openness and mutual respect.

The product will build a network of leaders and institutions throughout the region, enabling positive social change within governments and between governments and civil society. In countries with fragile democracies and a historic need for stability this will be particularly timely. For those closer to EU accession or recently joined, the programme provides direct access to social enterprise models that provide value for money ways of reaching communities through the private and voluntary sector. Examples will be drawn from a range of sectors such as education, health, energy, employment and housing. The distinctive focus is on quality and serving the community.

More than a One-Off Event

The first year programme will bring together 10-15 senior practitioners to share practice and show ways in which public bodies and front line services can successfully work with citizens to direct future change. During a 1 week programme in the UK the participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences, to learn about international best practice and to see at first hand exciting UK projects at community level.

Part of the programme will be directed to enabling future change and exploring means to disseminate benefits throughout participants’ own organisation and across the emerging network.

On return British Council will support the new network through regionally based activities drawing on the UK inspiration and supporting further extension of the network. Activities will include workshops, seminars and website development.

Outcomes

• Informed counterparts cooperating with respected and recognised UK institutions such as central ministries – e.g. Department of Communities and Local Government, Regional Authorities, Local Governments and Think Tanks/NGO’s.
• Effective social partnerships between governments, civil society and business within scope of  EU enlargement
• Access to important regional and global debate about citizen engagement
• Network of key leaders, policy makers and practitioners from a breadth of sectors and countries able to disseminate ideas and experience.