Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jeppe Kofod meets partners of New Democracy Fund in Vilnius.
On the 8th of July 2021 Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jeppe Kofod met with partner representatives of The New Democracy Fund in Vilnius. The meeting was an opportunity for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to be personally introduced to some of the local partners of The New Democracy Fund and to discuss current challenges and new opportunities for regional collaboration between CSOs in the European Neighbourhood Countries.
Present at the meeting were representatives from CSOs from the European Neighbourhood Countries within the areas of youth, media, culture, and labour market. Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jeppe Kofod participated in the meeting for a personal introduction to the CSOs and an informal discussion about their perspectives on how to support and strengthen civil society organisation and expand possibilities for regional collaboration. During the meeting future cooperation in spheres of culture, media, labour market, youth, and education were discussed, with a special focus on various opportunities for experience exchange and training between the CSOs in ENC and Denmark. CSO’s representatives expressed their gratitude for long-term support of Denmark to civil society in ENC, and their hope to continue and widen this close cooperation between the countries.
Simon Drewsen Holmberg, the Program director of the NDF, participated in the meeting, and shared information about various possibilities of support with the CSOs representatives.
The meeting was organised by the Danish Cultural Institute, with a large support from ForumCiv, Regional office for Eastern Europe, and its HUB manager Ognjen Radonjic.
Regional office in Vilnius
In September 2021, The New Democracy Fund will open a regional office in Vilnius to strengthen information exchange, expand the network of The New Democracy Fund and build synergies to other activities in the region. The meeting was used as an opportunity to introduce the new office and discuss new opportunities for collaboration and exchange of experiences between CSOs from the European Neighbourhood Countries, Denmark, and the Baltic Countries.
Exchange of experience
Part of the overall objective of New Democracy Fund is to strengthen the network and exchange of experiences between Baltic CSOs and CSOs in the European Neighbourhood Countries. Three decades ago, the Baltic countries underwent a transition towards democracy, economic growth, and a stronger, more engaged civil society. This transition has many resemblances to the changes and developments happening in the European Neighbourhood Countries today. In this perspective, Baltic CSOs can contribute with important experiences and competences as partners of The New Democracy Fund.
More information about the New Democracy Funds’ Northern Office of the European Neighbourhood Countries will follow soon.
Picture: Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jeppe Kofod at the launch of The New Democracy Fund in March 2021.