Call for applications - EIN training seminar (now closed)

The European Implementation Network (EIN) is calling for applications by civil society organisations (CSOs) to participate in a training seminar on advocating for full and effective implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

CSOs are accorded a critical role in the Council of Europe’s (CoE) process that underpins the supervision by the Committee of Ministers (CM) of the implementation of these judgments (known as the CM judgment execution process). This is made possible under Rule 9.2. of the Rules of the CM. However, there is little readily accessible information on how this process works and how CSOs can engage with it to best effect, with the result that this powerful mechanism for implementing human rights is very underutilised. 

The aims of the seminar are to equip CSOs to use the CM judgment execution process to support full and effective implementation of ECtHR judgments; and to share best practice on advocating for implementation at the national level.

For information about EIN, see http://www.einnetwork.org/

Date and place of seminar:

Date: 21-22 June 2018
Place: Strasbourg, European Youth Centre
Arrival: 20 June evening
Departure: 22 June afternoon at the earliest

Strasbourg. Photo: EIN

Seminar content:
The seminar will cover the following issues:

• The CM execution process and the role of NGOs.

• How to use Rule 9.2 submissions to push for effective implementation at national level: case studies.

• Rule 9.2 submissions: group exercises on developing general measures and/or responses to non-implementation. The session is aimed at helping participants who have not engaged with the CM judgment execution process to do so – gaining advice from other participants.

• Advocacy: EIN and Strasbourg-based advocacy, advocating for improved implementation structures at the national level.

Training methodology:
The seminar will combine:

• presentations by experts on how to engage effectively with the CM judgment execution process;

• sharing of learning by participants who have already engaged with implementation, whether through the CM judgment execution process, or at the domestic level;

• group exercises to help participants starting work on a new case to develop the content and recommendations they should include in their written submissions to the CM (i.e., Rule 9.2 submissions).

Target audience:
Staff of civil society organisations working on, or planning to work on, implementation of ECtHR judgments; independent lawyers supporting civil society organisations in these activities.

Criteria for selection of participants:
Participants will be selected on the basis of following criteria:

• The impact resulting from full and effective implementation of any cases their organisation is supporting.

• Any relevant experience the participant is able to share. The training methodology requires a number of participants with particular attributes – some with experience in different aspects of implementation, others with cases which will be particularly suitable for group exercises.

Participants will be limited to one per CSO and are required to have a good working knowledge of English. They must be present for the full duration of the seminar.

Please note that EIN will be conducting further training seminars on an ongoing basis. Applicants not selected will be able to apply for a later seminar. CSOs that are supporting cases currently before the ECtHR should also consider applying for future EIN training seminars as and when their cases are settled.

Travel and accommodation expenses:
EIN will cover the costs of participants’ travel, accommodation, food and visas. Guidelines on the funding procedure will be provided to selected participants.

Application process:
Please complete the application form and return to Agnes Ciccarone (aciccarone@einnetwork.org) by 26 April 2018 (now closed) . Please also arrange for your organisation to send a letter supporting your application, confirming that you have a good working knowledge of English and can be present for the full duration of the seminar.

The results of the application review will be made know by mid-May.

The first EIN training seminar, Warsaw, 2-3 February 2018. Photo: EIN