A key finding shows that project implementors know very little about each other, despite their widespread willingness to connect and share experience and lessons learnt. One reason is that spaces for exchanging best practices are limited.
The Civil Society Hub for actors addressing populist movements
To meet this need, ECAS is setting up a “Civil Society Hub for actors addressing populist movements”. This network will bring together civil society actors that implement projects aiming to addressing populist movements or safeguarding liberal democracies. The hub will serve as a point of exchange for best practices and is aimed at creating synergies between a diverse set of actors that have implemented projects in the field.
The Civil Society Hub for actors addressing populist movements will work on two levels: on the one hand, regular exchanges (either physical or in online conferences) will enable in-depth presentation of different projects and initiatives so that best practices can be shared, and knowledge is directly transferred amongst hub members. On the other hand, an online space (e.g., a closed LinkedIn group) will serve as a ubiquitous platform to share updates, articles and studies.
ECAS will facilitate and actively moderate regular discussion-triggering inputs on relevant topics among the network members.
In the long-term, the hub aims to both increase the quality and innovation of projects addressing populist movements across Europe and trigger joint action. Hub members will learn from one another and consider shared knowledge when designing projects tackling the populist challenge.
The launch event
The launch event on 6 July 2021 (13.30 – 15.00 CET) is scheduled to enable first time discussions amongst members of the hub.
The launch event has three objectives: (1) the members of the hub get to know each other, (2) agreement on a modus operandi of the hub and (3) collection of input on the expectations, goals and activities of the hub.
The launch event will take place on ECAS’ WebEx platform. The event will not be live-streamed and will not be public (only members of the hub can join). Would you like to become a hub-member? Please fill in this form.
If you have questions, please contact ECAS’ European Democracy Outreach Coordinator, Hendrik Nahr (hendrik.nahr@ecas.org).
Agenda
13.30 | Welcome Hendrik Nahr, European Democracy Outreach Coordinator, ECAS
13.35 | Keynote Assya Kavrakova, Executive Director, ECAS
13.45 | Introduction of participants Tour de table
14.15 | Presentation of different options, how the hub could be functional Hendrik Nahr, European Democracy Outreach Coordinator, ECAS
14.30 | Open discussion on the different options (see above)
14.45 | Further debate & next steps
14.55 | Closing Hendrik Nahr, European Democracy Outreach Coordinator, ECAS
15.00 | End of the event