[spectre] Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe

[Traxler Nicole 2666 EST]

Dear friends and colleagues,

More than two decades have passed since the collapse of the communist 
regimes in Eastern Europe. Since then, the region has experienced 
intensive periods of transformation, conflicts, and renewal. 
Political systems have changed, ethnical tensions have risen, and new 
relationships with European neighbor countries have formed. All these 
developments have been closely linked to civil society. It has not 
only been influenced by them, but also triggered some of them.

To develop a better understanding of the current state of civil 
society in 16 countries of this region, the diverse pathways of its 
development, and its possible future trajectories, we partnered with 
the Vienna University of Economics and Business, more than 20 
researchers, and over 400 experts from Central and Eastern Europe. 
The results of our common efforts are put together in this 
publication on
"Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe: Challenges and Opportunities".
It offers its readers an analysis of the overarching patterns of 
civil society in its recent past and possible future developments. 
Its 16 country reports give additional insights into civil society of 
the specific countries, as well as defined fields and developments 
throughout the region.

This publication, therefore, serves as first comparative and 
comprehensive analysis of civil society in the countries of Central 
and Eastern Europe under review and we are happy to share it with you.

For your convenience, it is available for download on our website: 
<http://www.erstestiftung.org/publication/civil-society-in-cee/>
http://www.erstestiftung.org/publication/civil-society-in-cee/

Yours sincerely,

Boris Marte
Deputy Chairman of the Board
ERSTE Foundation

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Nicole Traxler
Project Manager
ERSTE Foundation