General Assembly 2024

cdnee General Assembly 2024

We’re excited to announce that General Assembly (GA) 2024 will be hosted by Belarusian Young Greens, and we invite you to join us in Vilnius, Lithuania on April 27-28.

Belarus has been grappling with an autocratic regime, marked by a relentless one-man rule. The situation has created an environment where it is virtually impossible for most of the young people, especially activists, to carry out their work, organise and even lead a normal life, pushing them to the brink and compelling them to seek refuge Especially since the events of 2020, marked by contested presidential elections, protests, violence against demonstrators, mass arrests, and other repressive measures, compelled numerous Belarusians, including members of Young Greens, to leave their homeland and seek asylum in neighbouring countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Georgia, etc. Moreover, Vilnius and Lithuania in general hold historical significance as a Belarusian hub and have become a haven for many Belarusian activists and now serves as the residence for a community of over 40,000 Belarusians who, through fortune, managed to escape imprisonment.

Moreover, Vilnius and Lithuania in general hold historical significance as a Belarusian hub and have become a haven for many Belarusian activists and now serves as the residence for a community of over 40,000 Belarusians who, through fortune, managed to escape imprisonment.

General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of CDN. GA consists of delegates from Member organisations and brings other friends from the Green European family to share, network and debate. GA elects Executive Committee, adopts activity and financial plan for the next year, amends documents, and makes other relevant decisions. This year, we will also discuss and adopt new Strategy for the upcoming four years.

See you soon in Vilnius!

Practicalities

On this page, you will find detailed information regarding practicalities, financial support and reimbursement rules.

General Information

We would kindly ask all attendees to register as early as possible – the deadline according to the IRPs is March 13.

NOTE: A registration form is not enough to register as a delegate! Delegates of Member Organisations need to be confirmed by their organisation. Therefore, an official email from your organisation’s email account should be sent to office@cdnee.org confirming the name(s) of your delegate(s).

In order for CDN to be able to provide financial support for the delegates’ travel costs, the above-proposed deadlines shall apply. The deadline is determined by the IRPs: “Each member and partner organisation shall inform the Secretariat of the names of their representatives at least 45 days before the General Assembly”.

The Registration is the same for all attendees of the GA. Therefore, Guests, Candidates, Outgoing EC, etc. are all requested to fill in the registration form. Since the deadline, according to IRPs, for submitting candidacy is 30 days prior to the GA, the registration form will remain open for two more weeks, until March 28, for Candidates only.

The attendees are expected to arrive on the 26th in the evening (dinner will be provided) and depart on the 29th in the morning (breakfast will be provided).

Note: We strongly encourage you to follow the good practice of having one experienced delegate (preferably, someone who has been to previous GAs) and one less experienced delegate (to ensure the transfer of knowledge).

In addition, according to IRPs  8.1 Participants of CDN events can’t be older than 35 at the moment of applying. Delegates, whom we will reimburse, are considered participants. Guests, coming at their own expense, can be any age.

For any additional information regarding the financial arrangements, please get in touch with the Office.

To whom will we be covering the costs?

You can find a detailed overview in Financial Conditions. Since it is our desire to support young people and enable everyone’s participation as much as we can, in case you cannot comply with these conditions please do not hesitate to write to us and we will try to find a common solution

  • If you’re coming as the 1st Delegate:

    CDN will cover all of your costs (travel, accommodation, and meals). There is no participation fee.

    If you’re coming as a 2nd Delegate:

    CDN will cover all of your costs (travel, accommodation, and meals). You will be asked to contribute with a participation fee.

  • We will cover all of your costs (travel, accommodation, and meals) during the General Assembly.


    Non-elected EC Candidates will still have accommodation and meals covered for the duration as if they were elected.

  • CDN will not be able to reimburse expenses, and you will be asked to contribute with a participation fee covering accommodation and/or meals.


    Should get in touch with the office@cdnee.org and financial assistance will be decided on an individual basis.

  • We will cover all of your costs (travel, accommodation, and meals). There is no participation fee.

  • CDN will cover all of your accommodation and meal costs during the event.

  • CDN will not be able to cover any costs of the guests of the General Assembly. There is a participation fee covering meals as well as accommodation if guests request CDN to book accommodation for them.

Other information about travel and financial conditions

We encourage travelling by land whenever possible and it’s the only option if the journey takes less than 15 hours (IRPs §9.1), for reducing CO2 emissions. Since it might be a long way to Warsaw for some of you, flying can be the only option. However, we ask you to organise your travel in the most economical way. Only 2nd/economy class reservations will be reimbursed. This also applies to train reservations.

As a principle, we only cover travel expenses from your place of residence to Vilnius and back. In case you need to travel from or to somewhere else, please contact ivana.vojnov@cdnee.org (cc office@cdnee.org) with a justification of the circumstances, after which we will let you know what to do. 

Don’t wait for the last chance to purchase tickets register as it will get expensive. The deadline to book tickets, together with registration, is 45 days prior to the GA – 13 March. Note that while registering, you will be asked to upload a booking confirmation.

Travel to Vilnius

– By Land:

Vilnius Central Railway Station is located just south of the Old Town. It is reachable by train from various places in Europe: including direct connections from Warsaw and Riga. This makes it possible to combine land and air travel e.g. arrive to Warsaw by plane and take train to Vilnius. See more information on the official website of Lithuanian Railways.

The bus station is situated right opposite to Railway station. You can get more information about the timetable at www.autobusubilietai.lt. There are several bus lines that run to international destinations such as Riga, Tallinn, Warsaw, and rest of the Europe.

You can check for the train connections here: PolRail, ÖBB, Rome2Rio, RailCC

You can also reach Vilnius by bus. Check for routes here: FlixBus, getbybus, and Rome2rio.

– By Air:

Being the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius is home to the country’s largest airport (VNO).  With regular flights by airline companies such as LOT Polish Airlines, airBaltic, Wizz Air and Ryanair. There are few direct connections, and most of the flights will have layovers through Warsaw or Riga.

Alternatively, the Kaunas International Airport (KUN) too is located close to Vilnius at 100 kilometres west of Vilnius, in a small town Karmėlava. With more low-cost carriers such as Wizz Air and Ryanair. To reach Vilnius from Kaunas International Airport, there are direct scheduled minibus rides to Vilnius railway station after each arriving flight. 

Moreover, it is possible to take flights to Warsaw or Riga and reach Vilnius by train/bus.

We recommend looking for affordable flight options here and here. 

Reimbursement

Please, carefully read the Financial Conditions and Reimbursement Rules that we have prepared for you. The document contains all necessary information about travel limits, participation fees, and reimbursement rules. 

More details regarding reimbursement and practicalities (venue, accommodation, etc.), will be shared later with the registered delegates through e-mail.

Call for Presidency (closed)

On this page, you will find detailed information regarding the call for presidency

We are looking for Presidency members for the upcoming General Assembly (GA), that will take place on 27-28 April Vilnius, Lithuania.Presidency is a body that presides over the General Assembly. Presidency, consisting of at least 3 people, who are responsible for managing the programme, discussions, voting sessions and ensuring smooth functioning of the GA. Presidency is selected by the Executive Committee and ratified by delegates at the General Assembly.Responsibilities of the Presidency:

  • Chairing the plenary and amendment sessions:

    • Moderate the discussions;

    • Give word to the presenters;

    • Read out amendments.

  • Managing the election and the voting processes efficiently:

    • Make the call for voting;

    • Counting votes;

    • Support technical aspect of voting on GA platform;

    • make sure that voting and elections are taken according to the IRPs and Statutes;

  • Tracking the quorum and absences;

  • Take down minutes;

  • Other minor logistical tasks.

Candidates must have:

  • Solid experience in political processes and chairing meetings;

  • Experience with CDN or one of its Members and/or experience of attending CDN or FYEG GA before;

  • Enough time to dedicate to the GA and preparing for presidency role.

As a member of the presidency you will need to get acquainted with rules and procedures around CDN GA, described in Statutes and IRPs. You will also need to attend at least 2 online meetings before the GA in order to divide the tasks. Members of the presidency are expected to be present in Vilnius for the duration of the GA together with Staff and Executive Committee. They are expected to arrive on 25th to meet and finalise preparations as well as participate in the online evaluation meeting in the following month. All costs of travel, visa, accommodation and meals will be covered by CDN.


To apply, please send in short description of your experience and motivation to giorgi.ptskialadze@cdnee.org (cc Yevheniia@cdnee.org) by 23rd of February.

Call for Secretary General (closed)

On this page, you will find detailed information regarding the call for Secretary General

The Executive Committee of Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe (CDN) is announcing a call for a Secretary General. This is a paid, full-time position, starting from the beginning of May 2024 and it will be based in CDN’s office in Belgrade, Serbia. We are accepting applications by the 10th of March 23:59 CET.

 

About the Role:

Secretary General is a legal representative of the organisation, serves as the head of office and supports the work of Executive Committee (EC), oversees implementation of strategy, activities, and daily operations.

Responsibilities include:

  • Facilitating the work of the Executive Committee: ensuring smooth transfer of knowledge and effective onboarding; setting up delegation order, understanding needs, promoting discussions, and creating space for decision-making, handling disagreements among members.

  • Managing office and overseeing the work, ensuring political and strategic alignment.

  • Supervising HR processes.

  • Coordinating statutory activities, Organising General Assembly, Live EC Meetings, and Study Visits.

  • Working on CDN strategy development, shaping, monitoring, and reviewing key performance indicators (KPIs).

  • Ensuring that the Executive Committee and staff are meeting their responsibilities, and that the organisation is progressing in accordance with the Strategic Plan.

  • Collaborating with the relevant employee and treasurer for financial oversight.

  • Administrative and structural fundraising

  • Overseeing external communication.

  • Maintaining good communication with partners and stakeholders, including Member Organisations.

  • Representing the organisation to third parties.

  • Tracking, monitoring, and updating the EC on major political and social developments throughout Eastern Europe.

 

We are looking for someone with the following profile:

  • Experience in Young Green organisations, and/or CDN structures;

  • Good knowledge of CDN, Green politics and civil society in Eastern Europe;

  • Comprehensive understanding and respect for CDN documents and values;

  • Experience with youth and voluntary organisations, or NGOs.

  • Experience in project writing, planning, implementation, monitoring and follow-up;

  • Experience with leading and managing teams;

  • Excellent written and spoken English, (knowledge of additional Eastern European language is an asset);

  • Excellent organisational, time and crisis management skills, ability to multi-task and work under high pressure and with tight deadlines;

  • Excellent communication skills (in online and offline settings) and experience in facilitation and moderation;

  • Ability to take initiative and lead the processes;

  • Willingness to engage in frequent travels, to have flexible working hours – long working days and work during the weekends when needed;

  • Preferably younger than 30 years of age and not older than 33 at the moment of applying;

Assets:

  • Experience of financial management and budgeting;

  • Experience with managing social media and using Canva;

  • Knowledge and experience with non-formal education methodology;

  • Experience with networking and public speaking;

  • Comprehensive understanding of Eastern European politics.

What we offer:

  • A full time (35 hours / week) contract of 2 years, with flexible working hours. Please note that frequent work-trips abroad and is required;

  • 1300€/month gross salary (approximately 1000€ after taxes, depending on personal situation) with possibility of further increase;

  • 25 days of paid holiday and additional paid time off (closed office) between Jan 1-9;

  • Relocation costs to Belgrade (residence permit, travel, visa) covered by CDN;

  • Frequent and extensive travel and the opportunity to network in the European-wide Green movement;

  • Deepening understanding of Eastern European political context and first-hand experience with organisational management. Enhancing professional, political and leadership skills;

  • Lively, friendly, international, and youth-led team in growing organisation.

 

Application and Selection:

Please submit the following documents to office@cdnee.org with reference: Secretary General Application – Name, Surname

  • CV (Max. 2 pages)

  • Motivation Letter highlighting how your experience and qualifications make you a good fit, how you can contribute and why are you interested in this position (Max. 500 Words)

  • Vision Statement outlining how you imagine development of CDN in the upcoming period, what will be your priorities, what you want to achieve by the end of the mandate and how (Max. 1000 Words)

  • Two references with contact details, preferably former employer, supervisor and/or civil society representative. 

Deadline: March 10th, 23:59 CET.

Incomplete applications that don’t have a CV, Motivation Letter, references and without a clear subject line will not be considered.

Next Steps: We will contact the shortlisted candidates latest till the 17th of March and invite them for an online interview. The final selection will be done by the Executive Committee no later than the 27th of March.

NOTE: The Executive Committee is proposing amendment to the Internal Rules of Procedure that changes Secretary General’s selection process and determines 2 year term. If approved, Secretary General should be elected by the General Assembly while Executive Committee will still responsible for pre-selection and final recommendation.

As per Resolution linked to the amendments, the Executive Committee proposes that “the General Assembly recognises current Secretary General (proposed by the Executive Committee) to be elected by the General Assembly and determines this as the beginning of the two-year mandate.”.

Therefore, selected Secretary General will be asked to attend the General Assembly on April 27-28 in Vilnius and present their candidacy. Besides, application will be publicly available on cdn.discuss.green.

Do you have any questions regarding the position, tasks and responsibilities, how typical workday looks like? Feel free to get in touch with our outgoing Secretary General Giorgi Ptskialadze at giorgi.ptskialadze@cdnee.org

Call for Executive Committee (closed)

We are excited to open the call for new Executive Committee for the mandate of 2024-25. This is your chance to join our network as the Executive Committee member and contribute to the growing Green movement in Eastern Europe.

The Executive Committee (EC) is the political body elected by the General Assembly. EC is responsible for running the organisation, making strategic and political decisions, overseeing the implementation of activity & financial plans, communication with member organisations.

The presentation of candidates and election of the new Executive Committee will take place at the General Assembly, 27-28 April in Vilnius, Lithuania. For which you need to be present in-person. We will be covering all related costs for participation (transport, accommodation, etc.)

The candidate should submit:

  • Introduction to your candidacy;

  • Motivation Letter (answering questions such as experience with CDN, vision of development of the organisation, and how would you contribute)

  • CV;

  • Photo;

  • Official letter of support from a Candidate’s organisation or any other Member Organisation of CDN

*Note that this Application will be publicly available on cdn.discuss.green and be deleted within three months after the end of General Assembly. 

NOTE: APPLICATIONS WILL AUTOMATICALLY CLOSE AFTER THE GIVEN DEADLINE AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SUBMIT.

The Executive Committee tasks include:

The tasks and responsibilities are decided during the first in-person meeting and each EC member is assigned combination of responsibilities ensuring interests and balance of workload.

  • Making strategic and political decisions;

  • Overseeing and taking part in the implementation of Activity Plan with main responsibility to ensure political and strategic alignment.

  • Maintaining close and continuous communication with Member Organisations through quarterly regional calls, being primary contact and available to MOs via e-mail correspondence, as well as have meetings during in-person events.

  • Representing and promoting CDN during its and partners’ activities;

  • Fulfiling assigned responsibilities such as oversight of external communications, EC coordination, statutory affairs and events, strategy evaluations, etc.

  • Role of treasurer further includes financial oversight and decision-making on financial matters.

  • Organising and actively participating in the regular (biweekly) EC meetings (lasting usually 2h).

 The candidate for the Executive Committee should:

  • Be motivated to advance the Green movement in Eastern Europe;

  • Be dedicated to the goals of CDN, subscribe its political platform and the Green Ideas;

  • Be comfortable working in an international environment and have good communication and organisational skills;

  • Be willing and available for active online engagement throughout the 1 year mandate;

  • Be prepared for frequent travelling, participating in the live committee meetings, CDN activities and likely several other occasions;

  • Be regularly available via the e-mail for ongoing discussions, work and decision-making, together with regular online conferences;

  • Have a good command of English (written and spoken);

  • Have an interest to follow political developments in Eastern Europe and react to them with available tools such as producing statements, organising and supporting campaigns, assisting member and partner organisations, communicating with other Green stakeholders, etc.

Throughout your mandate in CDN Executive Committee you will get:

  • A chance to work for a lively, youth-powered, diverse and and growing Eastern European youth organisation.

  • Getting familiar with youth projects, non-formal education methodologies, and preparing and leading sessions.

  • Deepening understanding of Eastern European political context, and closer look to youth political movements in the region.

  • Frequent travel and exciting activities, networking with wider Green European political family.

  • An opportunity to develop your professional, political, and activist skills and enhance them through practical experience. Including bolstering team-work, public speaking, and leadership skills.

 

If elected, candidates are asked to stay for the transfer meeting with the current committee and the first EC meeting. Departure day for EC Candidates is the 30th of April. CDN will cover the costs of accommodation for all Candidates, no matter if they are elected or not. Moreover, elected Executive Committee Members will be asked to attend an in-person 3-day EC meeting within the first month following the General Assembly. The exact dates will be decided collectively.

Applications should be submitted on the GA Digital Platform.

The Deadline for submitting candidacies is March 28th, 23:59 CET. However, the earlier you apply the more chance delegates will have to see your candidacy on the platform.

The call has been extended and new deadline is 7 April, Sunday, 23:59 CEST.

Check more information on practicalities, more detailed information will be provided via e-mail after registration.

Note: In addition to the candidacy-related documents, each Executive Committee candidate needs to fill in the Regisration form for GA attendees as well.

In case of any questions do not hesitate to write to giorgi.ptskialadze@cdnee.org.

Call for New Members  (Closed)

On this page, you will find detailed information regarding the call for New Members

We are thrilled to announce a call for the membership of our Network which is going to be decided upon by the upcoming General Assembly in Vilnius on April 27-28, 2024.

Any youth organisation that share similar values with CDN and is located and active in Eastern Europe can apply to become Member Organisation.

Here is Membership Criteria as defined by the Internal Rules of Procedure:

General Criteria:

  • Youth organisation (NGO, Youth wing of Green party,
    youth movements, youth of organisations that are dealing
    with issues applicable with CDN aims)

    1. Do not need to be registered, but statutes neede

Sustainability criteria:

  • Not one project-based organisation

    1. Democratic structure (as understood by the GA on an ad
      hoc basis)

Value and issue criteria:

  • Compatible with CDN Political Platform

    1. Open for Green values as a whole, even if actions are
      streamed towards specific issues

More information about CDN, our principles, our documents, work in the past and our plans can be found on the CDN website. Linked you can find CDN StatutesInternal Rules and Procedures and Political Platform.

 

In order to apply, the organisation must submit:

  • General information, introduction on the application page

  • Filled in the Application form (access here)

  • Statutes of the organisation in English

  • Copy of legal act of registration of the organisation (if applicable)

In addition, if there are any other relevant documents (political platform, manifesto, statements, resolutions) in English that your organisation works accordingly to, it should be submitted as well.

The Deadline for submitting candidacies is March 28, 23:59 CET. However, the earlier you apply the more chance delegates will have to see your candidacy on the platform.

Each candidate organisation’s application will be reviewed by the Executive Committee and a recommendation for the delegates will be written and presented during the General Assembly.

Each Candidate Organisation will be given a chance to present their candidacy at the General Assembly. If the Candidate Organisation doesn’t have a representative at the GA, another way for the presentation of the candidacy will be ensured.

CDN will not be able to cover costs of Candidate organisation. However, you may still request financial assistance for participating in-person, get in touch with our office in advance and we will try to find the best solution on an individual basis.

Applications should be submitted on the GA Digital Platform.

Check more information on practicalities, more detailed information will be provided via e-mail after registration.

Note: In addition to the candidacy-related documents, each candidate organisation representative needs to fill in the Registration form for GA attendees as well.

In case of any questions do not hesitate to write us at giorgi.ptskialadze@cdnee.org.

Help us organise General Assembly 2024 and support our mission by making a contribution