BRIDGE

Fostering mutual understanding and cooperation of the EU with Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Russia (2008-2012)

Objectives:
Overall objective: To contribute to the strategic objective of the EU cooperation with Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova (ENP partner countries) within the ENP and with Russia in the frame of the Strategic partnership (SP) cooperation.

Specific objective:
To improve understanding and to raise awareness of citizens in the ENP East region and Russia on the EU policies and in particular on the ENP and SP by:
1.Strengthening the cooperation and enhancing dialogue between different stakeholders of the EU and the ENP East region and Russia;
2.Promoting democracy and local governance in the ENP East region and Russia;
3.On the basis of Project studies providing recommendations for future development on the field of ENP and SP and
4.Disseminating information on ENP and SP in the ENP East region and Russia and EU countries as well.

BRIDGE Consortium partners:
ISCOMET – Institute for Ethnic and Regional Studies, Maribor, Slovenia – coordinating organisation
Association for Ethnic and Regional Studies – ASER, Chisinau, Moldova
Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova – ASEM, Chisinau, Moldova
Belorusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives – BTEU, Gomel, Belarus
Institute of Social Sciences, Odessa National University, Odessa, Ukraine
Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Europe, Research Centre of Vishegrad Group Countries, Moscow, Russia
University Babeş-Bolyai, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
University of Trieste, Faculty of Political Sciences, Trieste, Italy
European University Viadrina, Frankfurt/Oder, Germany
University of Maribor, Faculty of Law, Maribor, Slovenia
ECERS – European Centre for Ethnic, Regional and Sociological Studies at University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.

In the course of the project realisation different analytical, research, training, awareness raising and other activities took place. The most important are listed below:

2009
Workshops for Academics
Belarus:
1-2 October 2009, Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives, Gomel
Moldova:
23 March 2009, Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova Chisinau
24 March 2009, State University B.P. Hasdeu, Cahul
25 March 2009, State University A. Russo, Balti
26 March 2009, University T. Shevchenco, Tiraspol
Russia:
19-22 April 2009, Otradnoe, Moscow, Russia
Ukraine:
16-17 May 2009, Odessa Mechnikov National University, Odessa

2010
Round Table on the EU-partner countries cooperation with the EU in education, culture and science, 18 – 21 February 2010, ASEM, Chisinau, Moldova
Bridge Expert Conference on Migration, Asylum, EU External Border Management and Visa Regimes, 28-29 April 2010, ASEM, Chisinau, Moldova
Workshop for Civil Servants and Civil Society Representatives in Moldova, 6-7 May 2010, ASEM, Chisinau, Moldova
Workshop for Civil Servants and Civil Society Representatives in Ukraine, 9-10 May 2010, Odessa Mechnikov National University, Odessa, Ukraine
Workshop for Civil Servants and Civil Society Representatives in Belarus, 14-15 May 2010, Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives, Gomel, Belarus
Workshop for Civil Servants and Civil Society Representatives in Russia, 18-18 May 2010, Stolypin Volga Region Academy of Public Administration, Saratov, Russia
International expert meeting (IEM) on the achievements and problems in developing cross-border cooperation / neighbourhood programmes with the ENP an EP partners countries and Russia in the frame of the ENPI Cross-border Cooperation Programme, 26-27 November 2010, Chisinau, Moldova

2011
Workshop on Discrimination, Human Rights, Freedoms and Minorities’ Protection in Ukraine, 18-19 March 2011, Yalta, Ukraine
Workshop on Discrimination, Human Rights, Freedoms, and Minorities’ Protection, 15-16 April 2011, Comrat, ATE of Gagauzia, Moldova
Developing the Civil Society and Ensuring the Rights of Ethnic and Religious Cultures in the Republic of Belarus, 19-20 May 2011, Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives, Gomel, Belarus
Workshop on Human Rights and Freedoms and National Minorities’ Protection in Russia, 24-25 May 2011, Stolypin Volga Region Academy of Public Administration, Saratov, Russia
International Expert Meeting (IEM) on local self-government and citizens’ participation in decision making processes and local democracy, 1-2 June 2011, Odessa Mechnikov National University, Odessa, Ukraine
BRIDGE International Summer University ˝European integration and neighbourhood cooperation˝, 5-9 September 2011, Vadul-lui-Voda, Moldova

2012
Round Table on EU-Belarus Relations and Cooperation, 1-2 March 2012, Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives, Gomel, Belarus
Round Table on EU-Moldova Relations and Cooperation, 16-17 March 2012, Chisinau, Moldova
Round Table on EU-Ukraine Relations and Cooperation, 31 March-1 April 2012, Yalta, Ukraine
Round Table on EU-Russia Relations and Cooperation, 23-24 April 2012, State Duma of the Russia Federation, Moscow, Russia
BRIDGE concluding conference ˝New challenges of EU policy towards eastern neighbourhood – cooperation with Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine˝, 25-25 May 2012, Maribor, Slovenia.

It was elaborated more than 20 project analyses, recommendations, declarations, reports and other documents on Project topics (link to publications, link to declarations).