EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia Effective networking: Case study EU IMPACT: Academic network.

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

Effective networking: Case study

EU IMPACT:Academic network for communicating integration

impacts in CroatiaEC PHARE 2005 project

Višnja Samardžija, Ph.DInstitute for International Relations – IMO

Zagreb, [email protected]

“Civil Society Development in South-Eastern Europe: Building Europe Together”Brussels, 17-18 April, 2008

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

Main goals of the project networkingto contribute to institutional capacity building for dialogue between academic community, researchers, policy makers, public administration and civil society on EU integration impact in Croatia to enable better networking of representatives of academic community, encouraging dialogue and dissemination of information on the European integration of Croatia and the EU enlargement;to raise awareness on impacts of negotiations and EU membership, including the role of civil society organizations in the EU integration; to encourage formulation of informed and motivated opinions and positions based on in-depth analysis on impacts of EU integration;to generate interest for the wide spectrum of issues included in the thematic scope of the debate;to open the possibility of virtual debates on the EU accession by using the electronic media

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

Background: problems to be overcomed

Low level of public support for accession process in CroatiaInsufficient transparency of negotiation processInadequate implementation of Croatian communication strategy Low level of awareness on impact of the EU accessionInadequate dialogue and communication between public administration – academia – civil society on EU issuesInadequate influence of civil society in the accession process Limited interest for the subject in academic community (for the difference in civil society)Lack of public interest on debating impact through the online forumsKnowledge deficit

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

55%

60%

2004 Autumn 2005 Spring 2005 Autumn 2006 Spring 2006 Autumn 2007 Spring 2007 Autumn

Trust in EU Institutions Positive image of EU EU membership - a good thing

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

55%

60%

2004 Autumn 2005 Spring 2005 Autumn 2006 Spring 2006 Autumn 2007 Spring 2007 Autumn

Distrust in EU institutions Negative image of EU EU membership - a bad thing

Positive and negative attitude towards EU accession in Croatia

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

Sharing best practice

Review of best practice in area of communicating integration issues in three selected areas, criticism where necessary Networking – TEPSA– EU CONSENT Network of excellence (FP6), transfer of knowledge

Irish experience and best practice – optimal solutions for communicating integration impact in Croatia

(European Forums, preparation for referendum)Useful exchange of ideas and information, constructive debates between academinc community, public authorities and NGOsActive participation of civil societyHigh level of media coverage

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

Synopsis: project activities

Kick of conference – The role of academic community in communicating EU accession to

Croatian public– representatives of partners, associates, leading experts, civil society

from the fieldRegional European forums– First forum of the Academic network, Rijeka (impacts of the EU

accession in the field of education, research and science)– Second forum, Osijek (consumer protection and food safety)– Third forum, Split (environment protection)

Development of a web page of the Academic network – Announcements, online reports, permanent communication– online virtual forum for debates on the impact of the EU accession in

Croatia.Policy analyses, bookLinking the EU Impact with other networks

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

Web page & electronic forums

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

Lessons learned

Preconditions for the success:– Focus on highly relevant topics– Credible parter institution– Local and international networking– Clearly defined programme and distribution of work

among partners– Detailed financial planning, good financial

management– Active grassroot participation on local level– Media coverage– Available information on the project (web site)

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

Conclusions – effects of EU IMPACT project

Increased awareness on the impacts of EU integration in Croatia

Contribution to implementation of the EU/national communication strategy in Croatia

Enhanced experience as a basis for developoment of further projects

Increased visibility of host institution and partners

Good basis for professional development, particularly young researchers

EC PHARE project EU IMPACT - Academic network for communicating integration impacts in Croatia

Thank [email protected]

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