Citizen's Association for Democracy and Civic Education - Civic Initiatives

EU Legislative Interests

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2000/C 364/01) Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union Proposal for a Directive on the European Cross-Border Associations and Non-Profit Organisations (COM/2023/516) Council Conclusions on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; The role of the civic space in protecting and promoting fundamental rights in the EU (14 March 2023) Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market and amending Directive 2010/13/EU (European Media Freedom Act) Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2010 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/758 of 27 April 2022 on protecting journalists and human rights defenders who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2022 on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector and amending Directives (EU) 2019/1937 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Digital Markets Act) Regulation (EU) 2024/900 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 March 2024 on the transparency and targeting of political advertising Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013 Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III) EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders (2008) Council Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 of 7 December 2020 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses EU Civil Society Strategy

Communication Activities

Platform “Three Freedoms” Civic Initiatives administer the Three Freedoms platform, which promotes key democratic values and the three fundamental freedoms – of expression, association, and assembly – in line with EU policies on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Through this platform, regular information campaigns are carried out, publications and reports (“Three Freedoms Under the Magnifying Glass”) on violations of these rights are issued, and public discussions and events are organized to address media freedom and the situation of civil society. The platform also runs solidarity campaigns supporting activists under pressure. Regional Anti-SLAPP Competition Civic Initiatives, in cooperation with the European Fund for the Balkans, organized a regional Anti-SLAPP Competition aimed at raising awareness about the harmful effects of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP). This activity contributes to the implementation of EU policies protecting freedom of expression, strengthening the resilience of civil society, and promoting transparency and accountability of public institutions. The competition was accompanied by media coverage, social media campaigns, and a public nomination process highlighting actors who misuse legal mechanisms to intimidate journalists and activists. Shrinking Civic Space Through publications and research such as “Civil Society Organizations – Shrinking Civic Space 2022 and 2023”, Civic Initiatives monitor trends in restricting freedoms in Serbia and the region, analyze regulatory barriers, and promote the alignment of national policies with EU standards on civil society participation and the rule of law. The findings are used in public campaigns, advocacy initiatives, and dialogue with institutions.

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

Human Rights and Democracy House - https://humanrightshouse.org/ Tri Slobode (Three Freedoms) - https://www.gradjanske.org/category/vesti/tri-slobode-pod-lupom/ WEBER CIVICUS - www.civicus.org National Convention on European Union - https://eukonvent.org/ Intersectoral Working Group for Freedom of Expression and Media Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) - https://balkancsd.net/ CASE – Coalition Against SLAPP in Europe Open Government Partnership Initiative Coalition for Free Access to Information of Public Importance NAPOR - https://www.napor.net/sajt/index.php/sr-yu/ KOMS - https://koms.rs/pocetna/ Serbian Philanthropic Forum OKO Media Freedom GroupThe LIST (Spisak)”Get Vaccinated” Campaign AGNA

Organisation Members

CI is a citizens’ association established under Serbian law. It is governed by the Assembly and the Board, as defined in Civic Initiative’s Statute.