About CEE Citizen Network

MISSION

The mission of Central and Eastern European (CEE) Citizens Network is to promote citizen participation in CEE and provide opportunities for grassroots initiatives to learn and exchange experiences and ideas.

The main aim of the network is to ensure democratic systems through citizen participation. Democratic systems endure when there is the mutually reinforcing practice and belief of free citizen participation. Both the practices and beliefs are new in CEE. That is why citizen participation needs to be fostered. The experience of free citizen participation gained in the past few years by citizens of CEE needs to be shared among these countries. The experiences need to be shared among those who are fostering citizen participation. Promotion of the potential of citizen participation through dissemination of information is vital so that the different useful characteristics of participatory approaches in the various countries serve as a basis for multiplication and reaching out to a significant portion of the population in each country.

OBJECTIVES

Increase awareness of the general public throughout CEE on the potential and impact of citizen initiatives.

Increase skills and capacities of citizens to more effectively participate in local and national development.

Promote joint activities of grassroots initiatives.

VALUES

Every citizen has the right to participate in the design and implementation of those activities affecting their lives, their families and their communities.

Active inclusion of the unempowered and marginalized as equal partners must be ensured and stimulated.

Respect for the diversity of our membership and their experiences.

Mutual trust, shared vision, common aims and beliefs of the network members.

PRINCIPLES

The network is an informal structure open for new members.

Every member’s contribution is required.

Exchange of experience and provide mutual assistance.

The network exists to both improve each organisation’s efforts and also result in some external impact in the CEE region.

ACTIVITIES

Joint activities of grassroots initiatives;

Exchanges;

Annual training for citizen activists;