Throughout 2013, the EYCA demonstrated the capacity of the intermediary bodies which are the associations to speak on behalf of citizens in a participatory democracy where debate can flourish. More than ever, especially following the 2014 European elections, there is a clear need for institutions to establish a permanent dialogue with networks which bring citizens together.

A strong civil society platform, alongside the European representation of social partners, linked to the civic movements at national and regional level aims at becoming a strong voice for effective advocacy in Civil Society Europe (CSE).  CSE enables horizontal exchanges between civil society organisations and movements across Europe providing a common and permanent space to:

• Share experience and knowledge;
• Scale up campaigns and other forms of collective action;
• Strengthen the capacity of its members to connect people in the diversity of their democratic;
• Act for change around the shared values expressed in its Manifesto.