This document summarizes a workshop on engaging civil society in sustainable consumption and production policy processes at the international and European levels. The workshop objectives were to discuss actions for better civil society engagement, how to use existing mechanisms more effectively, and what new mechanisms are needed. Participants discussed obstacles and opportunities through a SWOT analysis and solutions through a World Café format. Themes that emerged included establishing a stronger regulatory framework, setting specific targets, challenging underlying value systems, linking SCP to other priority issues, and creating a new funding framework. The document concludes by inviting participants to a cocktail reception.

1. Welcome

2. Mr. Rajan Gandhi Society in Action Group
Ms. Doreen Fedrigo European Environment Bureau
Mr. Helio Mattar Instituto Akatu pelo Consumo
Consciente, Brazil

3. Objectives of the workshop
• To discuss actions for better civil society
engagement in the SCP policy processes at
the international and European levels.
• How to use the existing mechanisms more
effectively?
• What kind of new mechanisms are needed?

5. Marrakech Process

6. Marrakech Process

7. Engagement of civil society in international
and European SCP policy processes
SWOT
• SCP is marginalized to life-cycle management
• Recent civil society movements e.g. virtual networks • SCP topic is very challenging to address systemically
• New generation civil society working on indicators • At the European level, SCP is not interlinked to the list of
beyond GDP, lifestyle change, transition initiatives, etc. other ‘important’ issues and kept in a silo
• Some indicator work is coming along (e.g. EEA SCP • No specific targets and objectives
indicators work) • No involvement of civil society at the initial vision
• Forums at the sector level (e.g. European SCP Food creation stage
Roundtable, UK roadmaps) • No deep questioning of our value systems (strong belief
• Regional funding programmes and new instruments in technology and more efficiency, no healthy skepticism
under-development of growthmania and consumerism)
Opportunities Threats
Strengths – civil society internal Weaknesses – civil society internal
• More interest in national process influence • Lack of resources such as financing, knowledge,
• Short-term focus to achieve tangible and concrete results capabilities (such as understanding of consumer behaviour
• Focusing on constructing informal and often local social research among environmental NGOs)
networks

8. Mr. Rajan Gandhi Society in Action Group
Ms. Doreen Fedrigo European Environment Bureau
Mr. Helio Mattar Instituto Akatu pelo Consumo
Consciente, Brazil

9. World Café

10. World Café questions, format & objective
1. What are currently the main obstacles and
bottlenecks?
2. How could we better use/leverage the existing
mechanisms of engagement?
3. What would be needed/desirable additionally?
Two rounds of 17 mins in groups of 5-6 discussing the
three questions at 6 tables
to enhance the SWOT analysis and list actions to
strengthen civil societies’ engagement.

11. World Café Table Topics
1. Stronger regulatory framework
2. Specific targets
3. Challenge our value system
4. Linking to ‘heavy weight’ issues
5. Forums at sector level
6. New funding framework

12. Engagement of civil society in international and
European SCP policy processes
WORKSHOP THEMES
1. Stronger regulatory framework
2. Specific targets
3. Challenge our value system
4. Linking to ‘heavy weight’ issues
5. New funding framework

13. Welcome to join us for
a cocktail!
EESC, Jacques Delors building / Atrium 6
Take all your belongings with you,
this building closes at 17.30.