European Commission consultation policy
The European Commission has always believed in regular communication with people outside the EU institutions, as a way of improving the quality of its policies and legislative proposals. This approach was first spelled out officially in a Commission policy paper from 1992 – "An open and structured dialogue between the Commission and interest groups". Although specific EC services have established civil society contact points and dialogues in their fields of competence (citizenship, culture, education, development, trade etc) the Commission does not make a distinction between civil society organisations and other forms of interest groups in its policy of consultation. The Commission consults "interested parties", which comprises all those who wish to participate in consultations run by the Commission.
See EC dialogue and consultation website
See consultations by policy areas
Transparency Register
The Transparency register has been set up and is operated by the European Parliament and the European Commission. The Council of the European Union supports this initiative. The aim of the register is to get a better view of the interest groups that work to influence EU policy making. Organisations and companies that want to contribute to the policy process are requested to sign up to the voluntary Register and provide specific information about them: objectives, members, sources of funding and expenditure.
The EESC Liaison Group
In February 2004, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted several important proposals for stronger and more structured cooperation with European civil society organisations. The Committee decided to set up a Liaison Group to interact with European-level organisations and networks. The Liaison Group ensures that the EESC has a coordinated approach towards the networks, as well as monitors joint initiatives. The EFC became a member of the Liaison Group in spring 2009.
Social Economy Europe
Social Economy Europe (SEE) platform works on increasing the recognition and the involvement of social economy (cooperatives, mutuals, associations and foundations- CMAF) in EU economic and social policies and programmes. SEE is born out of the former EC consultative committee of CMAF in 2000. The EFC is a member of SEE.
The NGO Contact Group
In order to strength their voice vav the EU, NGOs have grouped themselves in an informal network know as the EU Civil Society Contact Group (CSCG). It brings together 8 large rights and value based NGO sectors - culture, environment, education, development, human rights, public health, social and women.
European Foundation networks
Besides the European Foundation Centre, other European networks are active to support collaborative projects amongst foundations and partners at EU level:
Network of European Foundations for Innovative Cooperation (NEF)
European Network of Social Economy Foundations
European Network of Political Foundations for development and cooperation (ENOP)