The document summarizes discussions from the Structured Dialogue process, which brought together CSO platforms, institutions, and local authorities to define minimum standards for an enabling environment for CSOs. Key recommendations included calls for governments to respect CSO rights and autonomy, institutionalize multi-stakeholder dialogue, and adopt policies supporting CSO involvement. However, some gaps and controversial issues remained, such as lack of participation from all stakeholders and ensuring funding follows supportive policies.

1. Open Forum European regional
Consultation
Defining minimum standards for an enabling
environment
The Structured Dialogue Process

2. The Structured Dialogue
• In a nutshell – multi-stakeholder process (3
institutions and CSO platforms) to review the
strategy of engagement with CSOs and Local
Authorities (LA) at all levels, from policy, roles to
implementation mechanisms and funding
• Participation of local CSOs through regional
seminars
• Final conference in May in Budapest, outcomes to
be taken forward throughout other policy
processes and dialogue

3. SD “Acquis”
• One of the EC answers to articles 13 and 20 of
AAA - No “remise en question” of art.20 of
AAA, no push to sign on to Paris Declaration
• Recognition of Istanbul Principles
• Democratic ownership principle, going beyond
the government
• Right of Initiative (RoI)
• Multiple accountability

4. Minimum standards ?
At least efforts to be focused on several key aspects :
• CSO legislation – a democratic legal and judicial system which
ensures the right to organise, the right to express and
information, to participate in public affairs, and the right to
seek funding
• HRBA to development
• Deepening of the policy dialogue
• Developing a common overarching vision & strategy on the
role of CSOs
• The strengthening of CSO autonomy, transparency,
accountability through self-regulatory standards and tools

5. SD Key recommendations
• Partner governments :
-to respect art 20 of the AAA & intal.commitments
- to adopt explicit policies for CSOs and strive for a
democratic functional, legal and judicial system,
with a view to protect and promote an
appropriate and conducive environment
- To progressively institutionalise opportunities for
inclusive multi-stakeholders dialogue

6. SD Key recommendations
• The EU : - should also commit to and promote an enabling
environment ; respect and actively promote the right of
initiative (RoI)
- to acknowledge and endorse a human-rights based approach
to development
- to base budget support decisions upon assessment of
government commitment to democratic values, HR,
accountability and CSOs involvement
- To improve the quality of dialogue processes
- On funding- an appropriate mix of aid modalities so as to
reach and best respond to the widest possible range of actors,
needs and contexts

7. “Gaps”& Controversial issues
• Partner countries have not participated in the SD, neither
parts of the EU institutions
• Some elements , but can we really speak about “minimum
standards”
• Nuancing the ‘Right of initiative”? - the RI should be seen in
priority as an opportunity for local CSOs to preserve their
autonomy of action and freedom of expression on
development priorities, with a support role from their
international counterparts.
• Policy before funding, but will the funding follow the policy?