Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum

02/10/2026

The upcoming Eastern Partnership Civil Society Summit will take place in Chișinău on 24–26 November, bringing together over 250 civil society representatives and decision-makers from the EU and the Eastern Partnership region. This year’s programme focuses on key priorities including EU enlargement, peace and security, and the vital role of independent media and civil society.
🔗 Read more here: https://eap-csf.eu/articles/eastern-partnership-civil-society-summit-2026/

28/09/2026

A great opportunity for young leaders aged 18–35 in the Eastern Partnership region!

If you, or someone in your network, have ideas to strengthen youth participation in political decision-making, apply for ODIHR’s Regional Youth Forum in Chișinău (23–25 November 2026).

Open to young leaders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, the Forum helps you develop early-stage policy initiatives on youth participation, engagement with institutions, and inclusive representation.

Selected participants will receive expert coaching through online preparation sessions in early November and present their ideas directly to decision-makers in Chișinău. All participation costs are fully covered by the organisers.

📅 Application deadline: 2 October 2026
🔗 Find out more and apply: https://buff.ly/Pt4R9SW

Have an idea to give young people a stronger voice in political decisions? Bring it to ODIHR’s Regional Youth Forum.

We’re inviting young leaders aged 18–35 from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine who are active in civic or political life to apply.

🗺️ Chișinău, Moldova, 23–25 November 2026

The Forum is an opportunity to:

☑️ Develop your initiative with support from experts and fellow young leaders
☑️ Present and discuss your ideas directly with decisionmakers
☑️ Explore ways to make political participation more inclusive

Your idea can be at an early stage.

What matters is understanding the issue you want to address and the change you want to achieve.

Participation costs, including travel and accommodation, are fully covered. The programme is in English and includes online preparation sessions in November.

Find out more and apply by 2 October: https://buff.ly/Pt4R9SW

The Forum is part of an ODIHR project funded by the European Union, with support from France, Norway, Italy and Switzerland.

25/09/2026

Happy Birthday, Ales!

Today, we celebrate Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights defender Ales Bialiatski and highlight his important contribution to the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum’s 2025 Annual Report.

In his article, Bialiatski reminds us that despite relentless repression, the spirit of Belarusian civil society remains unbroken and that regional solidarity is more important than ever in the shared fight for democracy, freedom, and a free Europe.

🔗 Read the full article via this link: https://eap-csf.eu/articles/why-the-struggle-for-a-free-belarus-must-continue-ales-bialiatski/

21/09/2026

On Armenia’s Independence Day, we celebrate the people and organisations whose work helps communities thrive, strengthens public debate and democracy, and brings new ideas into public life.

From education, economic development and environmental protection to human rights, social dialogue, and civic participation, Armenian civil society contributes across many areas that shape people’s everyday lives.

Within the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, Armenian members share knowledge, build partnerships and bring their experience into exchanges with peers across the Eastern Partnership and the EU. Their contribution helps make our network more connected, diverse and responsive to the realities civil society faces across the region.

Happy Independence Day, Armenia! Շնորհավոր Անկախության օր, Հայաստան!

16/09/2026

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) was represented by Eugen Muravschi of WatchDog Moldova at the 15th CORLEAP Annual Meeting, held on 14 September 2026 in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova.

During the meeting, Eugen Muravschi delivered an intervention on countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and promoting local and regional media in Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries.

He highlighted how Russia uses FIMI to exert its influence in the EaP and tries to undermine the countries’ aspirations to move closer to the EU. Local authorities are among the most trusted institutions in the region, but often lack the resources and capacity needed to effectively counter this sort of foreign interference.

Drawing on Moldova’s experience, he noted that the Șor network, which sought to jeopardise the country’s 2024 referendum on European integration, began by establishing influence through local town halls. He also stressed that depopulation and limited opportunities leave young people in rural areas particularly vulnerable to FIMI-driven populism.

Local authorities have a crucial role to play: not only in developing infrastructure, but also in helping to strengthen communities and building trust. They can become some of the most credible communicators on EU accession and European integration, provided they receive adequate support from central authorities, EU institutions, and civil society.

15/09/2026

🇦🇿 From 7 to 11 September, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum hosted an Advocacy Bootcamp in Brussels for a delegation of members of its Azerbaijani National Platform. The programme of the bootcamp included trainings on EU affairs and digital safety in times of AI, and exchanges with EU stakeholders at the European Commission – Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, the European External Action Service, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee.

The delegation engaged substantively on the issues that matter most to Azerbaijani civil society:

• How EU-Azerbaijan relations can evolve in ways that genuinely benefit civil society, particularly human rights activists,
• Dedicated, flexible funding for civil society, including grassroot organisations,
• The role of civil society in the EU's Connectivity Agenda,
• The ongoing peace process and normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum remains committed to continuing to support the development of EU-Azerbaijan relations in ways that create meaningful opportunities for civil society.

04/09/2026

We have two calls for expression of interest for the development of a policy paper open!

1. Policy Paper on The Eastern Partnership: Achievements, Lessons Learned and the Future of EU Support Beyond 2027

📅 Deadline to apply: 11 September 2026
🔗 Discover how to apply: https://lnkd.in/d7SJ-m7C

2. Policy Paper on the Changing Civic Space in the Eastern Partnership and the Future of EU Support

📅 Deadline for applications: 20 September 2026
🔗 Discover how to apply: https://lnkd.in/eVeWtyjY

29/08/2026

Call for Expressions of Interest: Policy Paper on Changing Civic Space in the Eastern Partnership

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum is looking for a consultant to develop a 15–20 page policy paper exploring how civic space is changing across Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine—and what this means for the future of EU support to civil society.

The research will examine current trends, challenges and gaps in EU support and develop concrete, actionable recommendations for EU institutions, Member States and other stakeholders.

📅 Deadline for applications: 20 September 2026, 23:59 CEST
🔗 Get more information: https://eap-csf.eu/vacancies/call-for-expressions-of-interest-development-of-a-policy-paper/
📩 Apply by sending your CV, a short motivation letter outlining relevant expertise, and a two-page concept note to [email protected]

Civic space across the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region has undergone significant changes in recent years. Civil society organisations (CSOs) in the region are operating in an increasingly complex and, in some contexts, in restrictive environments shaped by war and occupation, political polarisation...

28/08/2026

The EaP CSF Secretariat is looking for a Finance Assistant to support the Finance Department with day-to-day financial operations and administrative tasks.

Responsibilities:
- Process invoices, payments, purchase orders and expense reimbursements
- Check financial documents, coding and compliance with policies/donor requirements
- Support bookkeeping, audits, reporting and financial documentation
- Manage petty cash and per-diem/reimbursement payments
- Support the CFO and wider team with financial information and administrative tasks

What we’re looking for:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting or a related field
2+ years of relevant finance experience, preferably in the NGO/accounting sector
- Knowledge of financial procedures and strong organisational skills
- Excellent English; French is an asset
- Legal permission to work in Belgium required

📅 Application deadline: September 10, 2026
⏱️ Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with the selected candidate expected to start as soon as possible.
📩 Apply with your CV and motivation letter: [email protected]
🔗 Link to vacancy:

Deadline for submissions: 10 September 2026, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we invite you to apply early.

27/08/2026

On Moldova’s Independence Day, we celebrate the strength and resilience of its civil society.

Over the years, Moldovan citizens and civil society organisations have worked tirelessly to defend democratic values, strengthen accountable institutions and advance the reforms bringing the country closer to the European Union.

Their commitment, expertise and determination remain essential to Moldova’s democratic resilience and European future. As Moldova continues along this path, a strong, independent and vibrant civil society must remain at the heart of the reform and accession process.

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum stands in solidarity with Moldova’s civil society and remains committed to supporting its work for democracy, fundamental rights and European integration.

Happy Independence Day, Moldova! La mulți ani, Republica Moldova!