Under the Stability Pact Anti-corruption Initiative (SPAI), launched in Sarajevo in February 2000, regional governments, local and international civil society organisations, bilateral aid agencies and international organisations are combining their efforts to help curb corruption in South Eastern Europe. The SPAI follows a five pillar, multi-disciplinary process: 1) adopting and implementing relevant international legal instruments; 2) promoting good governance; 3) strengthening the rule of law; 4) promoting transparency and integrity in business operations; and 5) developing an active civil society.

This report, which focuses on the fifth pillar of the Initiative, was adopted following the SPAI Conference on Civil Society on 17-19 September 2001 in Cavtat, Croatia and complements the SPAI general assessment report under pillars I-IV adopted in Tirana, Albania, in April 2001. It provides policymakers, legislators, businesses, civil society organisations and other stakeholders with an assessment of the legal and institutional environment in which civil society operates, together with recommendations for reform designed to enable civil society organisations, business associations, trade unions and the media to play a more active role in the fight against corruption. The report covers a wide range of issues including public attitudes, civil liberties, existing laws that facilitate the establishment of civil society organisations, freedom of the media, governmental transparency and co-operative partnerships between governments and civil society.