Dialogue in the Baltic-Mediterranean Axis

The Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU, Kehys, organized a seminar on “(Inter)Regional Civil Society Cooperation” in Athens on October 20, 2010, as part of the ongoing project “Facilitating Political Dialogue in the Baltico-Mediterranean Axis”. The seminar examined the preconditions, challenges and possibilities for civil society cooperation in and between the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions. The topic was approached through two recently published reports focusing on the intercultural trends and mutual perceptions in the Euro-Mediterranean region, a presentation on the development and current state of Black Sea civil society cooperation, as well as a panel discussion where common themes and challenges were identified.

The panellists and other participants identified many common challenges and obstacles that are hindering the NGOs to use their full potential. Fundamental problem for the NGOs is the lack of both financial and human resources. Funding is insufficient and favours big, well established organizations, while the smaller ones often have less expertise and resources needed for the complex application processes. The lack of training and support from the governments’ part was brought up, while on the other hand it was mentioned that the NGOs themselves should be more active in cooperating with each other and making their needs known to the governments and donors. Civil societies in the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions have a lot of expertise and potential, but in order for it to be fully realized active cooperation and networking inside and between the regions is essential.

For a full report please visit the website: http://www.kehys.fi/alf/news/seminar-on-inter-regional-civil-society-cooperation

In September a study on “Attitudes and prejudices between the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean regions” was published as part of the project. The study aims to find out how the two regions perceive themselves, the other region and the relations between the two. It is based on a survey of 260 people form 18 different countries. The thematic focus of the study is on three topics, environment, culture and mobility. The study can be downloaded in pdf form at http://www.kehys.fi/alf/programme-material

Information provided by Mikko Lipsanen, Kehys