Guiding Principles of Civil Society |in the Danube BasinGuiding Principles of Civil Society |in the Danube Basin

Key Actors Meeting, Eisenstadt, 28 June 2010
Adopted at the NGO key-actors meeting, Esterházy Castle, Eisenstadt 29 June 2010

Designation

  • The name of the organization is: Danube Civil Society Forum.
  • The Danube Civil Society Forum, DCSF, shall be a non-partisan and non-profit organisation. No part of its net income shall benefit to any private organisation or individual.

Objectives

  • Within the framework of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) as defined/adopted {title of final document, date of  adoption} as well as the subsequent documents and within the framework of co-operation between the European Union and the relevant European countries the objectives of the Danube Civil Society Forum shall be:
    • To support and promote the Danube Strategy following the principles of respect for democracy and human rights, the rule of law, good governance, principles of market economy and social and environmental sustainable development.
    • To support the existing non-governmental organizations, the creation of independent and autonomous non-governmental organizations, to strengthen the capacity of civil society and to support, assist and coordinate the efforts of its members.
    • To promote a culture of dialogue and cooperation between civil society organizations and between civil society and public and private actors in the Danube Basin.
    • To promote dialogue and solidarity between peoples and cultures.
  • In order to achieve its objectives, the DCSF:
    • Holds a regular general assembly (The Danube Civil Society Forum) at least every second year,
    • Cooperates with all public or private, international or regional institutions whose activities are related to the objectives of the DCSF.
    • Launches relevant research and documentation activities.
    • The resources of the Danube Civil Society Forum shall be made up of contributions by its members and any other resources allowed under the law.
  • The working language of the Danube Civil Society Forum is English.

Membership

  • Membership in the DCSF should be open to civil society organisations who are based on the principles of respect for democracy and human rights, the rule of law, good governance, principles of market economy and social and ecological sustainable development.
    • Members of the DSCF are national or regional non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisian organisations, academics, academic institutions, individuals with special expertises on the issues related to the DS, i.e. grass roots organisations, trade unions, religious groups, minority groups, think tanks, non-profit foundations, national and international CSOs/networks and other relevant Civil Society actors from the Danube basin.
  • Relevant criteria of DCSF membership:
    • The DCSF members come from the CSOs DS partner countries and from EU MS and international organisations/networks. Their number per each country should be balanced). (Regional/Geographical criteria)
    • Members should represent all variety of civil society actors. DSCF should be able to contribute to the thematic aspects of the DS. (Diversity & Competence).
    • Members should be selected taking into account past and current activities in the Danube region. (Experience).

Bodies representing the DCSF

  • The DSCF will have a secretariat to coordinate the DSCF.
  • The DSCF formed thematic working groups.
  • The DSCF has an executive committee.