Latvia’s civic dialogue model recognized in Brussels 

Representatives of the Civic Alliance–Latvia (CAL) — Director Kristīne Zonberga, Advocacy Manager Elīna Grīnhofa, and Deputy Chair of the Memorandum Council Georgs Rubenis — took part in a Brussels visit last week, joining civil society and European Commission representatives to discuss strengthening civic dialogue in EU institutions and member states. 

The seminar “Civil Dialogue in Practice: Bridging EU Frameworks and National Realities” focused on European Commission recommendations on civic participation and the new EU Civil Society Strategy. Participants shared national experiences, identified challenges, and explored ways to ensure structured and meaningful dialogue between governments and NGOs. A separate exchange highlighted Czech practices, particularly the partnership principle in EU fund planning and oversight. 

Latvia’s Memorandum Council model attracted international interest, including from a Hungarian NGO representative who suggested it could serve as a best-practice example for similar developments in Hungary. The discussions underlined the value of international cooperation in improving democratic participation through shared experience and solutions. 

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