Civil Society Dialogue Network

The Civil Society Dialogue Network (CSDN) is a mechanism for dialogue between civil society and EU policy-makers on peace and conflict. It is co-financed by the EU (Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe) and the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO), and managed by EPLO in co-operation with the European Commission (EC) and the European External Action Service (EEAS).

The CSDN was established in 2010 and the fifth phase (CSDN V) began in 2023 and will last until 2026.

Most CSDN events take the form of dialogue meetings which bring together relevant civil society actors and EU policy-makers. They take place in Brussels, EU Member States and conflict-affected countries with EU presence.

CSDN events fall into the following categories:

1. Policy Meetings

2. Geographic Meetings

(including Early Response Meetings and In-country Dialogue Meetings)

3. Funding Instruments Meetings

4. Member State Meetings

5. NGO Round-table Meetings

5. The EU in International Peacebuilding Meetings (CSDN II only)

6. Training Seminars

7. Conferences with Academics

In addition to organising dialogue meetings and training seminars, EPLO also produces various CSDN publications and videos.

Updates on the CSDN will also be disseminated via the EPLO Newsletter.

  • Click here to download the European Commission’s press release on the launch of CSDN I
  • Click here to download an overview of the CSDN
  • Click here to read all the publications from the first phase of the CSDN (2010-2013)
  • Click here to read all the publications from the second phase of the CSDN (2014-2017)
  • Click here to read all the publications from the third phase of the CSDN (2017-2020)
  • Click here to read the report of an independent evaluation of the first phase of the CSDN (2010-2013)
  • Click here to read the report of an independent evaluation of the second phase of the CSDN (2014-2017)
  • Click here to read the report of an independent evaluation of the third phase of the CSDN project (2017-2020)
  • Click here to read the report of an independent evaluation of the fourth phase of the CSDN project (2020-2023)

For more information about the CSDN, please contact Felicity Roach.

Latest Publications

Latest Video

The Civil Society Dialogue Network
Click here for more videos.

Latest Event

Title

The Green Transition and Peace: Good Practices and Opportunities for Sustainable Outcomes

TypePolicy Meeting
Date12 March 2024
LocationBrussels
Short DescriptionIn the context of the EU’s efforts to pursue and promote a green transition and to support climate adaptation as part of its external action and international partnerships, the overall aim of the meeting was to gather input and recommendations on how the EU may ensure that these efforts are conflict-sensitive and that they actively contribute to peace.

Specifically, the meeting sought to gather input on how the EU may:

  • Strengthen how its climate actions are conflict-sensitive and informed by conflict analysis, to avoid negative unintended consequences and to identify and pursue opportunities to contribute to peace;
  • Design and seize on green energy initiatives to promote dialogue and co-operation, including at the national, regional and international levels;
  • Support the connections between environmental protection and restoration, inclusion and peacebuilding;
  • Respond to the human security challenges arising from the mining and supply of critical raw materials, and ensure that these activities benefit local populations.
Useful LinksFinal Agenda

Background Paper: ‘The Green Transition and Peace: Existing Initiatives and Experiences’ written by Svenja Wolter, Harriet Mackaill-Hill, George Grayson (International Alert)

Meeting Report (soon)

For more information about this event, please contact Lorenzo Angelini.

Previous Events

The Green Transition and Peace: Good Practices and Opportunities for Sustainable Outcomes (March 2024, Brussels)

Final Agenda

Background Paper: ‘The Green Transition and Peace: Existing Initiatives and Experiences’ written by Svenja Wolter, Harriet Mackaill-Hill, George Grayson (International Alert)

Meeting Report (soon)

For more information about this event, please contact Lorenzo Angelini.

Policy Meeting – The EU and Gender-Responsive Conflict Analysis: Gathering Civil Society Input (September 2023, Brussels)

Final Agenda

Background Paper: ‘Gender-Responsive Conflict Analysis Frameworks: Existing Tools and Methods’ written by Dr Sophia Close

Meeting Report

For more information about this event, please contact Lorenzo Angelini.

Policy Meeting – The EU Human Rights Due Diligence Policy on Security Sector Support: Gathering Civil Society Input (February 2023, Brussels and online)

Final Agenda (version française)

Meeting Report (version française)

For more information about this event, please contact Lorenzo Angelini.

Member State Meeting – EU Approach to Women, Peace and Security (December 2022, Stockholm)

Final Agenda

Meeting Report (Coming soon)

For more information about this event, please contact Katja Niemi.

Policy Meeting – Water, Peace and Conflict: Exchanging on Opportunities and Best Practices (October 2022, Brussels)

Final Agenda

Meeting Report

For more information about this event, please contact Lorenzo Angelini.

Policy Meeting – EU Engagement for Peace: Exchange with Civil Society Partners (October 2022, Brussels)

Final Agenda

Meeting Report

For more information about this event, please contact Katja Niemi.

Training Seminar – Peacebuilding Advocacy towards the EU (September 2022, Brussels)

Final Programme

For more information about this event, please contact Lorenzo Conti.

Geographic Meeting – Conflict Dynamics and Peace Drivers in the West African Coastal States: Gathering Civil Society Input (September 2022, Online)

For more information about this event, please contact Lorenzo Conti.

Related Pages

Click on the following links for more information about earlier CSDN events: