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What is SEEDIG?

Dialogue, collaboration, and impact on digital governance in South Eastern Europe

The South Eastern European Dialogue on Internet Governance (SEEDIG) is a regional initiative that brings together stakeholders from across South Eastern Europe (SEE) to engage in open, inclusive, and multistakeholder dialogue on Internet governance and digital policy. Covering 18 countries in the region – Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine – SEEDIG serves as a key regional platform for cooperation and exchange.

SEEDIG was launched in 2014 through a bottom-up process initiated by the regional Internet community, responding to a shared need for a dedicated platform to discuss and collaborate on Internet and digital policy issues relevant to SEE.

While formally recognised by the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Secretariat as a sub-regional internet governance initiative, SEEDIG’s scope, reach, and impact position it as a leading voice for the broader SEE region in the global Internet governance ecosystem.

Vision and mission

We believe that digital technologies have an important role to play in the sustainable economic and social development of SEE. In line with this belief, our vision is that of a healthy, sustainable and inclusive digital advancement of the SEE region.

Our mission is to support such a digital advancement through facilitating multistakeholder dialogue and cooperation on addressing issues related to the use, evolution and governance of the Internet and other digital technologies across the region.

Activities

Tu fulfil our mission, we:

→ Provide a platform for regional dialogue and collaboration on Internet and digital policy issues, through annual meetings and intersessional activities.

→ Raise awareness and promote a better understanding of digital policy issues among SEE stakeholders.

Strengthen the capacity of regional stakeholders to meaningfully contribute to Internet governance and digital policy processes.

→ Inspire and support communities throughout the region to launch national initiatives and to get involved in regional, European and international processes focused on addressing digital policy issues.

→ Build partnerships, in SEE and at international level, with entities that help us fulfil our mission.

Impact

SEEDIG does not make decisions, but it can influence those who do. The open discussions held at the annual meetings are reflected in key messages, outlining main takeaways, possible goals and proposals for future actions. These messages are then distributed at national, regional, and global level. SEEDIG discussions and messages can, in turn, help inform and influence decision-making processes within governmental entities, national parliaments, companies, regional organisations, etc.

Our capacity development programmes and intersessional activities also help foster regional cooperation on digital policy issues, and contribute to strengthening the voice of SEE in European and international processes.

Roles

SEEDIG community: Contributes to planning and running SEEDIG activities, in a bottom-up, open, inclusive and transparent manner.

Managing Board: Coordinates SEEDIG activities, with community involvement and support from partners. Is voluntary and elected by the community.

Partners: Support SEEDIG activities in various ways. Include strategic partners, sponsors, and hosts of annual meetings. 

Testimonials by SEEDIG partners