National Convention on the European Union

EU Legislative Interests

NCEU was formed as a consultation mechanism within the negotiation process between Serbia and the European Union. In this sense, the focus of NCEU is on the process and policies of enlargement, and within them, on the negotiation process conducted by certain EU actors with the institutions of the Republic of Serbia. NCEU is directed towards the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Council, as well as all other advisory bodies and institutions that are in any way involved in decision-making processes within the enlargement policy. Our primary focus is on influencing the EU's enlargement policy. To achieve our goals, we target all relevant EU actors involved in the various stages of Serbia’s negotiation process with the EU. This includes the Directorate-General for Enlargement as a key player, along with other directorates within the European Commission, the European Parliament, advisory bodies such as the EESC, the European Council, and EU member states. Any institution that can impact the speed and quality of Serbia's negotiations is a focus of our advocacy efforts. We achieve this through presenting our positions at meetings, public events, and the presentation of analytical and policy papers, as well as other publications.

Communication Activities

The Book of Recommendations (https://eukonvent.org/dokumenti/knjiga-preporuka/) is an annual publication by the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU), offering the most comprehensive overview of Serbia's EU negotiation process. It is developed with contributions from hundreds of members of Serbia’s largest civil society network. As a unique and invaluable resource for all stakeholders involved in the EU accession process, the Book of Recommendations provides a detailed record of the recommendations made by NCEU members across various negotiation chapters. This publication enables NCEU to systematically monitor progress, assess developments, and identify areas where further government efforts are needed.

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

The National Convention on the EU is not a member of any associations, (con)federations, networks and other bodies.

Organisation Members

The organizational structure of the NCEU is designed to support the implementation of the objectives outlined in the NCEU Strategic Plan in both the medium and long term. The Programme Council (PC) consists of representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) in the broadest sense, who have agreed to coordinate the work of the NCEU’s Working Groups. The composition, jurisdiction, responsibilities, and working methods of the Program Council are defined by the Statute and the PC Rules of Procedure. The Working Groups (WGs) are composed of CSOs, selected based on prescribed criteria such as expertise and representativeness. They monitor, analyze, and evaluate progress in EU accession negotiations within the chapters they select according to their expertise, capacities, existing references, and established networks. Thematically, they align with the structure of the Negotiating Working Groups involved in EU negotiations. NCEU WGs may establish multisectoral working groups or one or more subgroups, depending on the complexity of the chapters they monitor. Intersectoral working groups are established to focus on monitoring, analyzing, and evaluating progress in key areas crucial for further democratization, modernization, and overall advancement of society, covering multiple negotiation chapters. Member Organizations of the Programme Council, which are also Coordinators of the NCEU's Working Groups: 1. Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) – Coordinator of the WG for Chapter 24 2. Centre for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES) – Coordinator of the WG for Chapter 17 3. Centre for Democracy Foundation (FCD) – Coordinator of the WGs for Chapters 2 and 19 4. Centre for Ecology and Sustainable Development (CEKOR) – Coordinator of the WG for Chapters 14, 21, and 27 5. Centre for Sustainable Development of Serbia (CORS) – Coordinator of the Multisectoral WG for Sustainable Development 6. Civic Initiatives – Coordinator of the Multisectoral WG for Freedom of Expression and Media 7. European Movement in Serbia (EMinS) – Coordinator of the WGs for Chapters 22 and 33 8. European Policy Centre (CEP) – Coordinator of the WGs for Chapters 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 28, as well as the Multisectoral WGs for Political Criteria and the Reform Agenda 9. Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society (BFPE) – Coordinator of the WG for Chapter 15 10. Informatics Association of Serbia (DIS) – Coordinator of the WG for Chapter 10 11. Institute for Territorial Economic Development (InTER) – Coordinator of the WGs for Chapters 20 and 35 12. International and Security Affairs Centre (ISAC Fund) – Coordinator of the WGs for Chapters 30 and 31 13. Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM) – Coordinator of the WG for Chapter 23 14. National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) – Coordinator of the WG for Chapter 16 and the Multisectoral WG for the Economic Reform Programme (ERP) 15. Network for Rural Development of Serbia (MRRS) – Coordinator of the WGs for Chapters 11, 12, and 13 16. Transparency Serbia – Coordinator of the WGs for Chapters 5 and 32