ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the role of civil society and how it affected the implementation of ENP programs on the ground in Morocco and Tunisia, before and after 2011. It demonstrates that a numerically strong civil society acts as a fundamental service deliverer whereas an autonomous civil society is key to dialogue with the EU and to pressure the national government for the implementation of reforms. By contrast, when civil society is stifled by the government, implementation of ENP programs can be hampered. This is, for example, what happened after 2011 in Morocco, when the PJD's attempt to stifle independent CSOs inevitably affected the execution of key ENP programs in the country. However, contrary to original expectations, in some cases the political control of civil society is what actually contributes to a smooth implementation of EU programs and funds absorption.
