Implemented by the Professional Association of the Mediators in Bulgaria in cooperation with Integrierte Mediation e. V. – Germany and the European Association of Judges for Mediation (GEMME), funded by the European Commission within the “Civil Justice” Program (“Civil Justice” 2007-2013)
The specific objectives of the project are:
- To improve cross border cooperation between legal professionals ( judges, lawyers, mediators), organizations and institutions, involved in civil proceedings, through establishment of bottom up networks and partnerships in cross border dispute resolution;
- To improve the existing skills in applying mediation to dispute resolution of EU practitioners involved in civil proceedings and to contribute to the improvement of interaction when mediation techniques for resolving cross border disputes are applied;
- To promote the use of and improve the access to alternative justice through mediation in cross border disputes
These objectives actually put into effect the provisions of Directive 2008/52/EC from May 21st 2008 on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters.
ACTIVITIES UNDER THE PROJECT
- Establishment of functional partnerships and networks of EU legal professionals, expert organizations and national and European institutions that wish to participate in activities related to alternative dispute resolution methods;
- Operations with partners to consolidate and unify mediation techniques applied in Europe;
- Development of a manual and trainings on cross border dispute resolution for legal professionals and mediators;
- Establishment of two mediation centers for cross border dispute resolution – one in Bulgaria and one in Germany;
- Establishment of on-line portal, providing assistance in the resolution of cross border disputes and promoting the use of mediation in cross border disputes in Europe;
- Awareness raising activities - international conference, seminars and workshops, dissemination of printed materials and other means of promotion.
The Beneficiaries
Direct project beneficiaries are about 1,000 lawyers, citizens and business representatives, as well as national institutions from Europe; indirectly - through information campaigns – the project activities will reach approximately 7,500 beneficiaries.
