For the first time, the  database provides complete information on the state of civil dialogue in the Balkan countries in one place. The data include information on the legal framework, current situation, history and concrete mechanisms and structures that exist in each country. The  database gathers date for 10 countries, both 7 EU pre- and accession countries and 3 Balkan EU Member States (Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia).

The data were gathered through a unified questionnaire by BCSDN members and its partners, primarily from secondary sources or research conducted for their own needs, which makes this database a collaboration of local CSOs, especially BCSDN members and its partners. As the  database provides an overview, links (where available) to original documents for more information and up-date on the situation in the individual countries have also been provided in the list of state framework documents. Moreover, it also includes a list of Governmental offices for cooperation with CSOs or similar contact structures as further source of information and up-date. The data cover the period (as much as possible) till May, 2010, when the data were last up-dated. Finally, based on the data gathered BCSDN produced a regional comparative analysis and list of 10 recommendations on how civil dialogue can be improved, especially the context of EU enlargement and support given by the European Commission to this area. The analysis and recommendations are available in the Balkan Civic Practices #7: The Missing Link? Development and Functioning of Civil Dialogue in the Western Balkans.