The Etkiniz EU Programme brings civil society representatives together at its 5th forum! The Etkiniz Forum will be held in Ankara on May 5th-6th, 2025. The theme for the forum is “Advocacy in Restricted Spaces: Risks, alternatives and new methods in the civil space”.

The Etkiniz Forum aims:

1. Discussing good practices in advocacy in restrictive settings, learning from global and local campaigns and efforts.
2. Discussing practices that have been tried and tested ineffective in helping participants avoid common pitfalls.
3. Reflecting on definitions of advocacy, success & impact in advocacy and exploring different metrics of impact and progress.
4. Understanding, navigating and adjusting human rights advocacy in restrictive settings.

The forum will include sessions and workshops where participants may share their knowledge and experience and build networks in addition to the panels. 

Representatives of CSOs who want to attend the forum must fill out the application form, which can be accessed from the link below. Filling in the form is compulsory for participation, and you may send in the completed form by 11 PM (CET+2) on Friday, February 28th 2025, to complete your application. 

Why Should I Want to Attend the Etkiniz Forum?

• To build networks with representatives of international mechanisms,
• To meet and share experiences with representatives of CSOs,
• To share human rights monitoring work with the wider civil society and thereby to deepen it,
• To explore new opportunities for cooperation with representatives of various CSOs,
• To meet donor organisations.

Only those participants whose applications have been accepted will be admitted to panels and workshops.

Selection criteria

• CSOs that run human rights monitoring / advocacy-based work and/or previously access to international human rights mechanisms will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition, the following issues will be taken into account:

• Diversity of thematic working areas,
• Equal gender representation,
• Representation of groups at higher risk of discrimination

Important: Only one representative from each CSO will be admitted and accepted. As places are limited to 120 participants, applications are compulsory. It will not be possible for those who have not applied or whose application was not accepted to participate in the Forum.

Notes for participants:

• Participants outside Ankara will be provided accommodation and intercity transport support.
• Etkiniz may demand repayments for travel fees/fines arising from participants whose plane tickets have been bought and/or hotel accommodation reservations have been made by Etkiniz not attending the event with good reason and failing to inform Etkiniz in writing.  Supportive documentation of the participants’ compelling reason for not attending (doctor’s reports etc.) must be presented to Etkiniz. 
• Etkiniz will demand repayment for accommodation reservations for participants cancelled without a documented compelling reason.
• Details about the Forum and information about the venue will be sent to persons whose applications have been accepted.
• English-Turkish simultaneous translation will be provided throughout the forum.
• Any special needs may be stated on the form.

Etkiniz will respond to applications from March 14th 2025 onwards. 

If you have any questions about the forum, please get in touch with forum@etkiniz.eu.