The overall goal of SELDI is to contribute to the building of the rule of law and democratic institutions in the countries of SEE. The major methodological pillar of SELDI's implementation activities is the institutionalization of regional public-private cooperation in anti-corruption and judicial reform. It will be realized through an open process ensuring the input of all stakeholders in the region.
SELDI was conceived in late 1998 by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD), a Bulgarian policy institute, and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), an inter-governmental organization based in Rome, and was established by Memorandum of Understanding between CSD and IDLO on 20th April 1999.
SELDI builds upon the success of the Coalition 2000 process, the Judicial Reform Initiative (JRI) for Bulgaria, and other previous efforts in Bulgaria by these two organizations aimed to promote the rule of law and a legal environment beneficial to the transition process and development. The Coalition 2000 process and JRI have established a model in encouraging cooperation among public and private institutions in the transition context as the most effective way to mobilize all societal resources for the success of reforms. (more)