EU Delegation to Kyrgyzstan presents new Roadmap for engagement with Civil Society for 2021-2027

Bishkek, Oct. 13, 2021 . / Kabar / . The Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic developed and adopted a new Roadmap for engagement with civil society for 2021-2027. The strategic document guides how the EU Delegation will interact with civil society organisations in the country, EU Delegation to Kyrgyzstan said. The European Union recognises the many different roles that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) play as promoters of democracy, and as defenders of rights holders, the rule of law, social justice and human rights. The European Union is firmly committed to playing an important role in promoting stronger positions on civic freedoms and against any reduction in the space for civil society to act. The priorities of the EU engagement with civil society in the Kyrgyz Republic for the next years are governance and digital transformation, human development focusing on inclusive quality education and skills development, gender equality and youth empowerment, green and climate-resilient economy. The EU will use policy dialogue and grant funding to strengthen civil society and foster civic freedoms. “Presence of strong civil society is a sign of the democratic development of any country. Therefore it is important to create favourable conditions for CSOs and support their work. They promote and protect human rights, allow citizens to actively express their views, contribute to economic development and awareness-raising, etc. The European Union actively interacts with CSO’s in all the countries around the world through such roadmaps and the one we have adopted in Kyrgyzstan will help us cooperate with CSOs in a more structured and mutually beneficial way,” Head of EU Delegation Eduard Auer noted. The new CSO Roadmap can be found on the website of the EU Delegation.