European commission and civil society

As from the year 2000, it has been possible to identify over 3 000 interest groups in Brussels.


Apart from the institutional advisory bodies (European Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the Regions), the EC has established vast processes of consultation. These methods of consultation concern all types of interested parties (NGO, local and regional authorities, organised civil society bodies, technical and academic experts). Such practices may also be implemented through various modes (green or white paper, communication, forums, workshops, standing advisory group, web consultation).

The specific importance of civil society was formalized in a white paper on Governance in 2001.

In this white paper, the EC also commits to gradually rationalise these process by ensuring minimum standards of consultation, thus aiming at  structuring the dialogue between civil society and the institutions of the EU.

towards an structured dialogue in the cultural sector

In order to enact the aims described in the communication document, and in the framework of the new working methods suggested, the European Commission is eager to engage in a structured dialogue with the cultural sector.
For the Commission, this structured dialogue should provide the framework for regular exchange of opinions and best pratices, as well as contribute to the process of elaboration of policies, follow-up and evaluation.


This structured dialogue should be implemented through 5 types of actions :
 - to undertake a mapping of the sector in order to identify and better understand the full range of its stakeholders ;
 - set up a Cultural Forum for consulting stakeholders and to foster the emergence of a set of stakeholders’ platforms,
 - encourage the expression of representative views by individual artists and intellectuals at the European level (« cultural ambassadors »), including exploring the opportunity and feasibility of an on-line virtual European forum,
 - encourage social partners in the cultural sectors to further develop their autonomous social dialogue,
- to bring a cultural dimension to European public debates by using the representations of the Commission.

the setting up of two platforms

Following the first European Cultural Forum in Lisbon (September 2007) and a call form proposals launched by the EC in march 2008, two platforms of cultural stakeholders from civil society have been set up in june 2008 :
- one on access to culture (consisting of 3 working groups :multi-lingualism, education, digitalisation, etc.)
- and the other on cultural and creative industries (consisting of 5 working groups (environment – and more specifically regulatory environment, SMEs, export and trade in a globalised world, mobilty of artists and art works and interface between creation and industry).