Our definition of Civil Society

Civil Society is a notion describing apolitical associative forms which function independently and are not a part of state fundamental institutions or part of the business sector.

Therefore, the nongovernmental organizations – associations or foundations, trade unions, employers’ organizations are actors of the Civil Society, which interact with the decision makers and the state institutions influencing them, in order to defend the rights and the interests of the groups of citizens they represent.

Due to the misuse of the notion, either by strictly referring to Civil Society as to civilians (as opposed to military) or only in connection with the nongovernmental organizations, it recently became necessary to redefine the notion as the nonprofit sector, or the third sector of the society, whereas the first two sectors are the fundamental state institutions and the business sector.

Civil Society simply describes an entire system of structures in which the citizens are involved, either as members of a nongovernmental organization, of a trade union or of an employers’ organization.

Civil Society consists of citizens associated in various forms, sharing the same interests and dedicating their time, knowledge and experience to promote and defend their rights and interests.