EUROHEALTH article – Standing for, with and behind each other: how to foster civil society capacities for social participation
EuroHealthNet’s Director Caroline Costongs worked with Devaki Nambiar, Amy Boldosser-Bosch, Milka Sokolovič, Manca Kozlovič, Kurt Frieder, Kjeld Hansen, Hamaiyal Sana, Christina Williams, Rispah Walumbe and Lara Brearley to explore the capacities of civil society in fostering social participation. The article was published in EUROHEALTH and was titled Standing for, with and behind each other: how to foster civil society capacities for social participation.
Summary of the article
Civil society and communities are central players in social participation processes for health. Effective civil society engagement in health decision-making processes requires specific capacities – including technical, recognition, and communication skills among others. These in turn have pre-requisites, like conducive legal frameworks and adequate financial and human resources. This article shares examples from the European Union, Argentina, Burkina Faso, and Slovenia that demonstrate the importance of such capacities and how they can be advanced. Drawing from these, it reflects on lessons and recommendations for governments and civil society to stand for, with, and behind communities, especially those in vulnerable and marginalised situations, in social participation efforts.
Read the full article here.