By Jeffrey Moxom, SDG Watch Europe Coordinator, European Environmental Bureau
More than 40 civil society organisations from across Europe gathered online for the second edition of the “Civil Society Forum for Sustainability: Shaping the European Green Deal” on the 21st and 22nd of September, for two half-days of lively debate and discussion.
Organised in the framework of the REAL DEAL project, the Civil Society Forum serves as a space for CSOs and other key stakeholders from across Europe to come together and exchange views on the European Green Deal (EGD), the EU’s strategy to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. The Forum is co-organised by SDG Watch Europe, SOLIDAR, and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), alongside REAL DEAL project partners.
Specifically focused upon assessing the gaps and opportunities in implementing an ambitious EGD and the 2030 Agenda, the second edition of the Forum saw representatives of civil society organisations come together to deliberate on the topic of civic participation, by discussing the merits and shortcomings of notable participatory processes that have addressed EGD topics, such as the Conference on the Future of Europe, the Just Transition Platform, the European Climate Pact, and Citizens Assemblies at National level.
Prominent speakers who had participated in the processes shared their experiences with participants, and interactive discussions took place in smaller groups. Through these exchanges, the Forum aims to develop civil society recommendations that could contribute to ensuring meaningful participation in future participatory processes at the European level.
The Forum will gather three times in the first year of the REAL DEAL project, with the next meeting planned for early 2023 in an online format. Find out more about the Forum at the Real Deal website here.
REAL DEAL has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101037071. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.
