The impact of Europeanization on civil society. The Polish case in the equality policy field

Equality and non-discrimination policy has changed significantly in Poland under the influence of the European Union. Equality, equal treatment and non-discrimination principles are included in the EU treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Therefore Member States are obliged to implement them in their national law and policy. However, in the post-accession period Poland carried out the changes in this area very slowly, with large resistance, under pressure of the EU institutions. Apart from the EU impact the activity of civil society has greatly contributed to greater compliance equality policy in Poland with European standards. This article will attempt to show that EU influence was an impetus for the growth of civic participation. The article will show EU measures and mechanisms of influence, the form of civic participation, channels of transmission of citizens demands, how civic dialogue proceeded, what values different actors were guided by, which actors opposed to the changes and consequences of this process. The article will also analyze the process described above to determine whether transnational forms of civic participation occurred in this case.