About EUMAP

EUMAP, a program of the Open Society Institute (OSI), monitors the development of human rights and rule of law standards and policies both in the European Union and in its candidate and potential candidate countries. EUMAP has published monitoring reports highlighting specific areas in which state performance conforms to, or falls short of, broadly accepted international standards. These reports also examine ways in which EU standards or policy could be clarified or further articulated. EUMAP approaches monitoring as a crucial tool to encourage a continuous review of policies, and to contribute to improving standards and policies where needed.

EUMAP, formerly the EU Accession Monitoring Program, has carried out monitoring in ten Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries and in five EU member states. EUMAP has now expanded the focus of its work to also encompass South Eastern Europe, Turkey and additional EU countries. EUMAP seeks to promote responsible and sustainable EU enlargement.

Encouraging Regular and Comprehensive Independent Monitoring

• Emphasising the importance of civil society monitoring as a source of critical input and impetus for the continued improvement of public policies.
• Evaluating the impact of the EU on the development and implementation of human rights and rule of law standards and policies, Europe-wide and at the national and local levels.
• Complemeting and expanding upon the monitoring and reviewing mechanisms of the European Commission and other European bodies.

Contributing to Improving Standards and Policies

• Encouraging the articulation and adoption of a clear and comprehensive set of European standards on human rights and the rule of law.
• Offering clear public policy recommendations in the monitored areas based on the reports’ findings.
• Initiating multiple advocacy and media activities to promote and support policy recommendations, at the EU and at the national and local levels.
• Advocating regular government monitoring as an essential component of public policy.

Promoting the Active Engagement of Civil Society

• Creating a forum for frank dialogue between civil society and governments on human rights and rule of law issues.
• Working jointly with local NGOs and civil society in the monitored countries to promote a culture of monitoring.

How We Work

• Methodology

All EUMAP reports are based on a detailed methodology prepared by experts. This covers aspects such as the legal framework and its implementation at both the international and national level, including relevant EU legislation. Government policies and programmes are also included. The methodologies are used as a template for preparing the country reports and are fully accessible on the EUMAP website.

• Country Reports

For each country monitored, a country reporter is selected to prepare a draft report based on the methodology. The country reporters are usually based in the country and most have links to national NGOs or academic institutions. All reporters have significant experience in the area monitored.

• Report Partners

As a programme of the Open Scoiety Institute (OSI), EUMAP works closely with other OSI programmes, with the Soros foundations in the countries monitored and also with a wide range of NGOs. Report partners provide the crucial link at the local and national level and ensure that the reports have a real impact in the longer term, following publication of the reports.

• Roundtable Meetings

Following an initial editing by EUMAP, the draft reports prepared by the reporters are presented at roundtable meetings held in each country monitored, including policy makers, government officials, NGO representatives and civil society activists. The aim of the roundtables is to promote further discussion and critique on the main findings of the draft reports, as part of a transparent and constructive reporting process.

• Publishing

English language volumes contain all the country reports plus an overview section. The overview draws together the main findings across all the countries monitored as well as an analysis of international standards. In both the country reports and the overview section, clear recommendations are made at the national and international levels. Each country report, together with the overview section, is also published separately in translation.

• Report Launches

Launches presenting the reports to civil society, decision makers and the media are held both in international locations (usually Brussels) and in each of the countries monitored.

EUMAP's Advocacy Activities - Direct Engagement for Change

EUMAP's advocacy activities are inspired by the Program goals and, more specifically, by the findings and recommendations contained in the EUMAP reports. EUMAP's advocacy activity is directed at:

• Raising awareness about outstanding human rights and rule of law issues in Europe.
• Contributing to the identification, adoption and implementation of concrete solutions to these problems.
• Highlighting the importance of independent monitoring is a key element for the continual refinement and improvement of public policy.

EUMAP interacts with a wide range of actors who are affected by, or who have influence in, the subjects covered by the reports, including public officials; elected bodies; international organisations; print, broadcast and internet media; academia; individuals; and civil society at large.

In each specific case, EUMAP identifies the most appropriate level of engagement for advocacy activities based on the recommendations of the reports, whether at the international, national or local level.

Advocacy activities span from the organisation of, or participation in, large high-profile international events to local monitoring and advocacy initiatives, and grassroots training projects. EUMAP usually monitors and advocates in cooperation with local NGOs, actively promoting a culture of open, constructive and frank dialogue between civil society and government.