Empowering Voices Across the Mediterranean: The Objectives of the Civil Society Facility for the Mediterranean (CSFM)

1. Enhancing Structured Dialogue The primary objective of the CSFM is to support and enhance the structured dialogue process between the EU, CSOs, and governmental authorities in the Southern Neighbourhood. By promoting regular, planned, and transparent engagement, the CSFM seeks to ensure that civil society can actively participate in shaping policies that affect their communities, enhancing the democratic fabric of societies across the Mediterranean.

2. Strengthening Civil Society’s Influence CSFM places significant emphasis on enabling civil society actors to have a tangible impact on policy and programming. Through structured dialogue and capacity-building efforts, the facility aims to ensure that CSOs are not only informed about EU policies and instruments but are also equipped to engage effectively, providing input that enriches and guides EU decision-making processes.

3. Fostering EU and Civil Society Relations Building open and trusting relationships between EU institutions and civil society actors is a key objective of the CSFM. By breaking down barriers and fostering mutual understanding, the facility aims to encourage the EU to view civil society not just as stakeholders but as essential partners in the pursuit of democratic governance and social justice.

4. Creating a Network of Change Agents The CSFM is committed to connecting actors with relevant expertise across the Mediterranean, facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices. By establishing a vibrant community of practice, the initiative seeks to empower individuals and organizations to collaborate on shared challenges, leveraging their collective knowledge to drive positive change.

5. Promoting Inclusive and Effective Policy A cornerstone of the CSFM’s objectives is to ensure that the structured dialogue process leads to inclusive and effective policy formulation. By integrating civil society insights and recommendations into EU strategies, the facility aims to make policies more responsive to the needs of diverse communities, enhancing the overall impact of EU cooperation in the region.

6. Advocating for Civic Space and Fundamental Freedoms The CSFM recognizes the critical role that a vibrant civic space plays in ensuring healthy democracies. Through its initiatives, the facility seeks to advocate for the protection of essential freedoms, supporting civil society’s ability to operate freely and effectively as a cornerstone of democratic governance.