The project "Dialogue, Consultation, Empowerment (3D) - Protecting and Strengthening Civic Space in Cyprus" is implemented within the framework of the BUILD program, with Civil Society Advocates as the implementing body.
The "Building a robust and democratic civic space" (BUILD) program aims to protect, promote and widely recognize the fundamental rights and values of the EU, through the support of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Greece and Cyprus and strengthening their capacities and sustainability. BUILD is co-funded by the European Union, through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) program, the Bodosaki Foundation and the Cyprus NGO Support Center with a total grant amount of €2.9 million. The coordinator of BUILD is the Bodosaki Foundation ( Greece) in partnership with the NGO Support Center (Cyprus).
Aim:
The aim of the project is to protect and strengthen the Civic Space in Cyprus. The overall aim is expected to be reached by achieving specific objectives, which are:
- The improvement of cooperation between Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and public authorities, as a result of the development and implementation of a structured dialogue process.
- Strengthening cooperation between CSOs and enhancing their capacities to carry out advocacy activities and perform their watchdog role in an effective and strategic manner.
- The implementation of advocacy actions aimed at creating a more enabling regulatory environment for CSOs, as well as the effective participation of CSOs in policy-making processes.
A supportive and enabling environment is necessary to ensure the right of association of CSOs. The project aims to address challenges such as the absence of systematic dialogue and cooperation between CSOs and public authorities, the lack of systematic and effective participation of CSOs in policy and decision-making processes, and the obstacles created by the regulatory framework in which they operate.
Main actions:
The main activities planned to address the above challenges are:
- Strategic planning workshop.
- Coordinating meetings with the NGO Initiative Group.
- Evaluation and monitoring of the implementation of the Law on Associations and Foundations (Law 104(I)/2017) and its implementation policies.
- Evaluation and monitoring of the measures and practices adopted to comply with the recommendations on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.
- Exchange of good practices seminar: Structured cooperation between CSOs and public authorities.
- Τranslation of the Societies and Institutions and other Related Matters Law of 2017
