The AU-EU partnership took a significant step forward in 2007 with the adoption of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES), aiming for a more inclusive, people-centered approach. Despite this, civil society has remained largely excluded from key decision-making processes.
To address this, African and European NGOs and youth organisations, supported by CONCORD, formed a coalition in 2022 to advocate for greater civil society involvement. Their efforts have led to key initiatives pushing for a formal Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) in the partnership.
This timeline outlines the major milestones in advancing civil society’s role in AU-EU relations.
Timeline of Key Events in Africa-EU Civil Society Engagement
2007
Launch of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES)
- A new era of AU-EU partnership begins with the adoption of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) at the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon. This policy framework aims to enhance cooperation between the two continents, emphasising an inclusive, people-centered partnership.
- NGOs and youth organisations from both Africa and Europe, supported by CONCORD, form a coalition to advocate for greater civil society participation in the AU-EU partnership.
2022
Formation of Civil Society Advocacy Coalition
February
2022
Africa-Europe Civil Society and Youth Forum
- During the EU-sponsored Africa-Europe Week, the Africa-Europe Civil Society and Youth Forum is organised ahead of the 6th Africa-EU Summit.
- The Forum provides a platform for civil society and youth representatives to push for institutionalised civil society participation in Africa-EU policy processes.
- A joint statement is adopted and presented at the Summit, urging African and European political leaders to formalise civil society engagement.
- African and European CSOs present shared positions at the 5th AU-EU Agriculture Ministers Conference, advocating for the inclusion of civil society in policy decision-making processes.
June
2022
5th AU-EU Agriculture Ministers Conference
February
2023
Anniversary of the 6th AU-EU Summit
- On the first anniversary of the Summit, a joint CSO statement highlighting persistent issues is delivered to AU and EU policymakers, reiterating the need for structured civil society participation.
- A start-up group of African and European CSO volunteers is formed to develop a concept for a Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) aimed at facilitating meaningful civil society participation in Africa-EU relations.
- The process begins with a survey to collect civil society insights, followed by extensive proposal drafting and review.
- In September 2023, the first version of the proposal is shared with the EU and AU, with feedback from the EU integrated into a revised version.
2023
Proposal Development for Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM)
Ongoing
2023
Advocacy and Lobbying Efforts
- Throughout the year, CSOs conduct briefings and lobby meetings with EU member states, AU institutions, and other relevant bodies to gain support for the proposed CSEM framework. Advocacy efforts are yielding positive results as the proposal gains momentum.
- With ongoing advocacy efforts, the next step is the formal establishment of the independent Africa-EU Civil Society Platform. This platform will serve as the foundation for the future Civil Society Engagement Mechanism and provide a structured space for civil society and youth organizations to engage with Africa-EU policy processes.