GUIDE on EU accession negotiations, public policy-making and monitoring, advocacy and communication under Chapter 24 “Justice, Freedom and Security”

Authors:
Adrian Ermurachi
Mihai Mogîldea
Stanislav Ghilețchi

Introduction

The accession to the European Union is a complex process and aims to fulfil a set of political, economic and institutional criteria, involving the harmonisation of national legislation with the EU acquis. For the Republic of Moldova, this process       includes systemic reforms in the rule of law, the fight against corruption, the functioning of democratic institutions and the guaranteeing of fundamental rights, monitored through internal and external evaluations, with the participation of public actors, EU representatives and civil society.

This guide aims to provide a detailed understanding of the legislative framework and relevant policies within the scope of Chapter 24 “Justice, Freedom and Security”. The guide is structured into three distinct modules, each contributing to a deeper understanding of the development and implementation of public policies in this sector, how transparency is ensured, and the role of advocacy activities.

The first module focuses on the methodology and key stages of the EU accession process.      In this module, the mechanisms and instruments guiding each stage of the accession process are explained, as well as the role of European and government institutions in this regard. At the same time, the chapter provides an overview of

the commitments undertaken by the Republic of Moldova in the context of the accession negotiations under Chapter 24 “Justice, Freedom and Security” and the degree to which these have been fulfilled by the end of 2025.

The second module focuses on the key concepts, tools and methods for developing and monitoring public policies, concentrating on the strategic planning of public policy documents.  Key stages are highlighted, such as initiation, drafting, approval, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Special emphasis is placed on public policy-making, as well as on the monitoring and evaluation framework.  As an example, ex-ante analyses prepared in the justice, security and internal affairs sector are used.

The third module focuses on transparency and participation in the decision-making process, exploring the relevant tools and legal framework. It examines the current legal framework on transparency and the level of participation in the development, implementation and monitoring of public policies, identifying the main challenges for central public authorities in organising participatory exercises and the conditions for effective participation. Various participation techniques are also explored, along with the added value of events organised by civil society in monitoring and evaluating policies concerning internal affairs.

The key objectives of this guide are:

• Building the capacities of civil society organisations by providing relevant information for areas linked to Chapter 24 of the EU accession process and equipping them with tools and methodologies for effectively monitoring the implementation of actions and reforms related to this chapter of the negotiations.
• Raising awareness and understanding of the existing strategic planning framework, and of the policies and Legislation related to justice, security and internal affairs.
• Developing the advocacy skills of civil society actors, especially at local level, to ensure impactful engagement with decision-makers, the media and other relevant stakeholders.
• Promoting greater collaboration and dialogue among different civil society organisations, thereby fostering a collective advocacy culture to address challenges in justice, security and internal affairs.

Disclaimer

This publication was produced under the project “Strengthening the engagement of civil society organisations in reforms in the field of internal affairs and in the EU accession process”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE). The content of this material is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.