Thematic context

In emphasizing the participation of civil society as a precondition for governance, the CINEFOGO Network responds to priorities set by EU institutions concerning the role of civil society and citizens’ participation. In the White Paper on governance, the participation of civil society organisations is stressed as one key criterion for good governance. The inclusion of civil society is aimed at improving the efficiency and legitimacy of EU governance. Our ambition is to contribute to this discussion and, especially, to the ongoing process of institutionalizing the Open Method of Co-ordination. This will be pursued by focusing on the role of civil society and citizen participation in the emerging European governance institutions. This will be undertaken within three thematic areas at the local/national level as well as the European level.

The Network has a common platform of knowledge about:

• The relationship between cultural identity and civic capacity

• The civil society tradition in the evolution of European democracy

• The relationship between citizenship, welfare provision and gender relations
  

On this basis, it addresses three thematic areas around which social science research is articulated regarding issues, dynamics and processes of concern.

Thematic areas

1. Identities, Values and Civic Cultures – Integration and Diversity

2. Citizenship and Civic Participation in relation to Social Protection

3. Multi-level Governance and Organised Civil Society