Partners for Democratic Change International
The global network of Partners Centers
Partners for Democratic Change International (PDCI) is a network of twenty independent, local Centers worldwide that work to advance civil society, good governance and a culture of conflict and change management. From its outset, PDCI has recognized the importance of mutually benefitial, cooperative peer networks as a tool to improve democracy and human rights, inclusive development and citizen-government relations across the globe. Read more about this innovative mechanism for cooperation at PDCI's website.
In 2006, PDCI was incorporated as a a non-profit association (or association internationale sans but lucratif, AISBL) under Belgian law, with a commitment to sharing members' 
knowledge, expertise, and skills to strengthen one another, advance their national, regional and international work, and form an alliance that will enable others to be enriched by their peace, justice and civil society work locally.
A secretariat office and staff was subssequently established in Brussels, to enhance network communication and expand contacts with both the European Union (EU) institutions, global organizations and the NGO community worldwide. Throughout 2007 and 2008, the PDCI Secretariat established capacity and program activities in its own right, while maintaining it overarching connecting role. PDCI's five core functions are described below.
- PDCI Network Communication
The Secretariat facilitates network communication through various media, including a monthly Internal Digest which highlights funding opportunities, provides updates on policy development and activities, and shares information on PDCI project activities and events. PDCI is also updating its website in order to more prominently display the publications and activities of its member organizations. PDCI regularly publishes promotional material featuring the work of all the Centers. These services provide valuable outreach material for donors and potential donors, PDCI members and other partner organizations, prospective partners and governments, as well as the general public.
- Regional Cooperation
PDCI organises Directors’ Meetings on a bi-annual basis, as an opportunity for member Centers to provide updates on their activities, identify joint challenges and opportunities, and brainstorm regional initiatives. As new types of conflict emerge, PDCI is interested in promoting innovative tools and methods to address root causes of conflict and minimize these harmful issues. Regular network meetings allow Directors to come together to discuss regional and network-wide responses to the most pressing current drivers of conflict.
- Research and Policy Analysis
PDCI is engaged in policy research on peacebuilding and international development cooperation in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, as well as civil society participation in governance processes under the European Commission-funded Initiative for Peacebuilding (IFP). The Secretariat also regularly provides input on policy and position papers as 
part of EU-wide civil society networks. PDCI is a member of the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN) of mainly Brussels-based NGOs. This association ensures PDCI representation in the Civil Society Contact Group, a coalition of NGO networks and platforms seeking to partner with and influence European institutions. PDCI also recently joined the EPLO, the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office, a network of over 20 NGOs working on peace and conflict issues, and sharing an interest in promoting peacebuilding and conflict management policies among European Union decisionmakers. In 2007, PDCI accepted an invitation to join the University Community Partnership for Social Action Research Network UCP-SARnet. This network will constitute an international online community (to be launched in Jan 2008), which is open to researchers, instructors, students and community leaders who are interested in the influence of cultural context on the organization of community programs and the resulting impact.
- Fundraising
The Secretariat regularly engages in developing new project initiatives to promote peacebuilding and civil society capacity building, as a means to promote network's vision of conflict and change management. Joint regional activities are a particular focus of PDCI, as the key linkage among Partners' Centers. Recently, PDCI is working with the EU's Europe for Citizens Program, which promotes democracy and civil society participation through national workshops in six Central and Eastern European countries.
- Advocacy and Outreach
PDCI engages in policy and advocacy work at EU level related to democracy, peacebuilding, human rights and civil society participation. Through the research networks described above, PDCI engages in legislative advocacy towards the European Parliament, by focusing on the EU’s financial instruments for promoting democracy and human rights, and increasing financing for civil society activities.
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