20 civil society organisations begin work on European "Compact"

Civil society organisations from across Europe have begun preparing a European "compact" to improve the way the EU works with voluntary organisations.

More than 50 delegates attended a European Network of National Associations’ conference in London last week (March 11-13) to confirm the management of the new network and discuss how to create a pan-Europe Charter – a Compact style agreement.

Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, one of the founding members of the ENNA network, said:

"This is a huge step forward for civil society in Europe. Voluntary organisations play an essential – and increasing - role in creating strong communities. So it is right that we should have a pan-European agreement to guide partnership work with governments in member countries as well as with the European Commission itself."

Delegates have agreed to research existing Compact agreements in individual European countries and draw out key principles for possible inclusion in a European Civil Society Charter. They will discuss this shortlist of principles at the next ENNA meeting in Cyprus. They will also work with partners in Brussels to build a wider coalition.

The London conference was the third meeting of the ENNA network, which was founded in Brussels last year. There are now 15 national umbrella organisations involved and the network continues to grow.

NCVO hosted the London meeting at which delegates discussed the role of national associations in acting as a link to civil society organisations in their respective countries. They also talked about the advocacy skills needed by members to work across different borders, cultures and languages as well as agreeing a formal management structure for the network.

The network successfully secured £272,000 from the European Commission to build knowledge, skills and expertise among ENNA members and push forward the creation of a European Charter in January.

The group also secured an extra £168,000 to run an e-mentoring scheme for civil society organisations to seek support and share best practice with other charities across Europe. 

For more information please contact Jenny Legg in NCVO’s press office on 020 7520 2469 or email jenny.legg@ncvo-vol.org.uk. For calls outside office hours, please ring 07714 243942.

Notes to editors:

ENNA is a growing network of national umbrella bodies in over 15 European countries with the aim of working together as cross-sectoral national associations to develop, support and provide voice across Europe for civil society organizations for the benefit of the millions of people that they serve and represent. 

ENNA comprises of umbrella organisations from: Austria, Cyprus, England, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey and Wales.

NCVO is a founding member for ENNA, which first met in Brussels in July last year. The group’s second meeting took place in Warsaw in November. The next meeting will take place in Cyprus in September.