Civil Society in Europe: Minimum Norms and Optimum Conditions of its Regulation

The regulation of civil society provides the framework under which those organisations can most effectively provide services in education, health, social services, housing, development aid and so on. Civil Society in Europe identifies common principles of civil society law in two ways. First, the approaches of the Council of Europe and the European Union are explored. Next, civil society regulation in twelve domestic legal systems are investigated on a broad range of substantive areas of law including internal organisation, registration, external supervision, public benefit organisations and international activities. From these, the authors distill a set of minimum norms and optimal conditions under which civil society can deliver its aims most effectively. This book is essential reading for policymakers and legislators across Europe and beyond.

• Compares civil society law amongst different European countries, giving the reader insights into the variations between different countries
• Minimum and optimal norms of civil society law provide guidelines for the development of positive relations between CSOs and the state
• Systematic presentation of civil society laws throughout Europe gives the reader a meaningful framework for comparing CSO law and creating a benchmark