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Communication from the Commission, COM(2002) 704 final, Brussels, 11.12.2002 

Towards a reinforced culture of consultation and dialogue - General principles and minimum standards for consultation of interested parties by the Commission

(excerpts)

The specific role of civil society organisations

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This specific role of civil society organisations in modern democracies is closely linked to the fundamental right of citizens to form associations in order to pursue a common purpose, as highlighted in Article 12 of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. Belonging to an association is another way for citizens to participate actively, in addition to involvement in political parties or through elections.

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Problems can arise because there is no commonly accepted - let alone legal – definition of the term ‘civil society organisation’. It can nevertheless be used as shorthand to refer to a range of organisations which include: the labour-market players (i.e. trade unions and employers federations – the "social partners"); organisations representing social and economic players, which are not social partners in the strict sense of the term (for instance, consumer organisations); NGOs (non-governmental organisations), which bring people together in a common cause, such as environmental organisations, human rights organisations, charitable organisations, educational and training organisations, etc.; CBOs (community-based organisations), i.e. organisations set up within society at grassroots level which pursue member-oriented objectives, e.g. youth organisations, family associations and all organisations through which citizens participate in local and municipal life; and religious communities.

So ‘civil society organisations’ are the principal structures of society outside of government and public administration, including economic operators not generally considered to be "third sector" or NGOs. The term has the benefit of being inclusive and demonstrates that the concept of these organisations is deeply rooted in the democratic traditions of the Member Sates of the Union.