Unprecedented Attacks on NGOs in the EU - We Call on All Democratic Forces To Act for a Strong and Independent Civil Society

For a strong civil society, the development of a framework for civil dialogue based on Art.11 TEU is a priority for this five-years term for the EU institutions. Properly resourcing civil society organisations to engage in this dialogue by involving their constituencies across Europe is crucial. In the EU, as in any democracy, public funding is needed to support the work of civil society organisations whose mission and objectives are strengthening the values enshrined in the treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
It totals around €700 million per year. As part of this programme, the EU Commission allocates €15.6 million annually across a number of environmental NGOs in compliance with the provisions agreed by the European Parliament and the EU member States after a competitive and open procedure to support civil society’s invaluable role in providing evidence-based, scientifically supported and constructive recommendations to policymakers on issues that matter to people.
These funds are already dramatically insufficient to pursue the goals they are tasked to support: create a level-playing field, helping policy makers access information, fact-based evidence and best practices from the ground; and hear about citizens’ needs and expectations for their health and wellbeing, social inclusion and equality, their rights and justice, the promotion of the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and a healthy environment for current and future generations. Millions of citizens support these contributions to EU policies, through national, local and grassroots constituencies, volunteering and community engagement, provision of services and access to rights for the most vulnerable and excluded.
It is a characteristic of authoritarian regimes that institutions consider no intermediary bodies are needed and that citizens are fully and only represented by the leader/s they elected. Indeed, the current debate illustrates the overall confrontation underway between European values and autocratic perspectives.
We call on all democratic forces to oppose false narratives and disinformation around the role of civil society organisations, to protect our unique role in European democracy and to support public funding for civil society. Civic participation is an essential pillar of our shared European values. We call on decision-makers to ensure a robust legal framework in which civil society and citizens organisations can thrive and play their role in interacting with policy-makers in order to have a more fully informed decision-making process. Democracy is about the right of citizens to be collectively heard for building an inclusive society and a shared European future and properly funded independent CSOs are a crucial tool for that.
1 For-profit corporate lobbying in Brussels is off the charts compared to advocacy of not-for-profit organisations. In 2024, the 50 corporations with the largest lobbying budgets collectively spent nearly €200 million on lobbying the EU alone (66% more than in 2015), played a decisive role in weakening or discarding many vital policies within the European Green Deal, public health and natural resources for future generations.
Supported by:
European organisations
- ADRA Europe
- Agroecology Europe
- AIDS Action Europe
- ALDA - European Association for Local Democracy
- Alliance4Europe
- Alzheimer Europe
- Association des Femmes de l'Europe Méridionale AFEM
- BirdLife Europe and Central Asia
- Caritas Europa
- CEE Bankwatch Network
- Centre for European Volunteering
- Cerebral Palsy Europe
- CESES - Confederation of European Senior Expert Services
- ClientEarth
- Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe
- COMMUNIA - Association for the Public Domain
- CONCORD Europe
- Cool Heating Coalition
- Corporate Europe Observatory
- Culture Action Europe
- DARE network - Democracy and Human Rights Education in Europe
- Democracy and Human Rights Education in Europe (DARE) Network
- Drug Policy Network South East Europe
- DSW - Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung
- DYPALL Network
- ECIT foundation on European Citizenship
- ECOLISE AISBL
- Erasmus Student Network
- EU LAT Network
- Eumans
- Eurocarers
- Eurodiaconia
- Eurogroup for Animals
- EuroMed Rights
- European Alternatives
- European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA)
- European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD)
- European Citizen Action Service
- European Civic Forum
- European Disability Forum
- European Dyslexia Association
- European Environmental Bureau
- European Federation of Journalists
- European Folk Network
- European Liver Patients' Association - ELPA
- European Music Managers Alliance
- European Network against Racism (ENAR)
- European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention-ENSP
- European Network of Cultural Centres / ENCC
- European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad)
- European Partnership for Democracy
- European Students‘ Union
- European Youth Forum
- Fédération Internationale des ACAT
- Fédération Spéléologique Européenne
- FEMYSO - Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations
- Friends of the Earth Europe
- Greenpeace
- Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)
- HRDN (Human Rights & Democracy Network)
- IGLYO - International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Intersex
Youth and Student Organisation - International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network
- Liberties - The Civil Liberties Union for Europe
- Lifelong Learning Platform
- Michael Culture Association
- OBESSU - Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions
- Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa
- Pesticide Action Network Europe
- Quaker Council for European Affairs
- REScoop.eu
- Samaritan International
- Seas At Risk
- Shifting Advocacy
- Social Platform
- SOLIDAR
- T&E - Transport and Environment
- The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)
- Trans Europe and Central Asia (TGEU)
- Transparency International EU
- Union of European Federalists
- Volonteurope
- Wetlands International Europe
- Women Engage for a Common Future
- WWF EU
- YEU International
- Young European Federalists (JEF Europe)
- Youth and Environment Europe
- Zero Waste Europe
Austria
- ARTS for HEALTH AUSTRIA
- Austrian Council on Smoking & Health
- GLOBAL 2000
- oevdf - association of Austrian experts in the field of drugs
- ÖJAB - Österreichische Jungarbeiter Bewegung
- Österreichische Liga für Menschenrechte
- Südwind
Belgium
- ARPi
- Association of European Journalists in Belgium (AEJ Belgium)
- BASTA!
- Belgian Alliance for a Smoke-Free Society
- Bond Beter Leefmilieu
- Carbon Market Watch
- Institute for international assistance and solidarity (IFIAS)
- Kif Kif vzw
- Les Amis de la Terre - Belgique asbl
- Mutualité Chrétienne - Christelijke Mutualiteit
- Natagora
- OXY Belgium
- Protestants Sociaal Centrum Antwerpen
- The School for Moral Ambition
- UTSOPI
Bulgaria
- Alliance for regional and civil initiatives (ARCI)
- BIg Brothers Big Sisters of Bulgaria
- Bulgarian platform European Women's Lobby
- Bulgarian Platform for International Development (BPID)
- Dose of love Association
- Economic Policy Institute
- European Institute Foundation
- Marginalia
- Multi Kulti Collective
- National Network for Children - Bulgaria
- Union of Bulgarian Journalists
- Young, Active, Creative NGO
Croatia
- ADRA Hrvatska
- BIOM Association
- Brodsko ekološko društvo-BED
- Centre for Peace Studies
- Centre for peace, nonviolence and human rights-Osijek
- Croatian Platform for International Citizen Solidarity (CROSOL)
- Croatian Volunteer Development Centre (Hrvatski centar za razvoj volonterstva)
- DKolektiv
- Forum for Freedom in Education
- Gong
- Human Rights House Zagreb
- Information Legal Centre
- IPE
- ISKORAK
- kolekTlRV │ For the rights of trans, intersex and gender variant persons
- LAG Zagorje-Sutla
- Life Quality Improvement Organisation FLIGHT
- Marine Explorers Society 20000 Leagues
- NGO "Eko-Zadar"
- Status M
- Terra Hub Croatia
- Trade Union of Croatian Journalists
- Zeleni Osijek
Cyprus
- CARDET
- Civil Society Advocates
- UNION OF CYPRUS JOURNALISTS
Czechia
- AutoMat, z.s.
- Beleco, z.s.
- Centre for Transport and Energy
- Czech Forest Kindergarten Association
- Děti Země (Children of the Earth)
- Ekumenická akademie, z. s. (Ecumenical Academy)
- Fórum 50 %
- Frank Bold Kids z.s.
- Glopolis
- Hnutí Brontosaurus
- Kavyl z.s.
- Klimatická koalice / Czech Climate Coalition
- Lesni materska skola Hvezdy v lese, z.s
- NESEHNUTÍ
- Regional Centre for Expertise Czechia
- Society for Sustainable Living (STUŽ)
- Spiralis
- Středisko ekologické výchovy SEVER (Centre for Environmental Education SEVER)
- Syndicate of Journalists of the Czech Republic
- Ústecké šrouby, z. s.
- Zelený kruh (Green Circle)
Denmark
- Baltic Sea NGO Network Denmark
- Europe Dialogue
- HealthTeam for the Homeless
Estonia
- Estonian Association of People Using Psychotropic Substances "LUNEST"
- Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation
Finland
- Association of Children's Culture in Finland
- Suomen luonnonsuojeluliitto (Finnish Association for Nature Conservation)
France
- AIDES
- AIODD
- Cap Magellan
- CFDT-Journalistes
- CRID
- European Center for Human Rights
- Générations Futures
- Global Health Advocates
- La Ligue de l'enseignement
- LDH (Ligue des droits de l'Homme)
- MeetEU
- Mouvement européen France-Vaucluse
- Nouvelle aube
- VoxPublic
Germany
- Araminta
- BUND e.V. (Friends of the Earth Germany)
- Deutsche Aidshilfe
- Gemeinsam leben und lernen in Europa e.V.
- German Speleological Federation VdHK
- JES Bundesverband
- LIFE Bildung Umwelt Chancengleichheit
- LobbyControl E.V.
- SUPERRR Lab
- Sustainable Europe Research Institute, Germany
Greece
- Community Rights in Greece
- CYCLISIS
- DAFNI KEK
- Electra Energy
- Emfasis Non-Profit
- Greek Forum of Refugees
- Inter Alia
- NIDO Greece
- PeerNUPS
- Positive Voice - Greek Association of People Living With HIV
Hungary
- "I'd like to teach" Movement (Tanítanék Mozgalom)
- Alternative Communities Association
- Anthropolis Association
- Artemisszio Foundation
- Civil College Foundation
- Civil Platform for Public Education
- Clean Air Action Group
- Diákszolidaritás Akció
- Dialogue Association
- Emberség Erejével Alapítvány
- Földkelte Foundation
- Green Action Association
- HAND
- Human PLatform
- Humusz Szövetség
- Hungarian Association of Social Workers ( = SzMME)
- Hungarian Civil Liberties Union
- Hungarian Press Union
- Hungarian Society for Environmental Education (HSEE)
- Jane Goodall Institute Hungary
- Magosfa Foundation for Environmental Education and Eco-tourism
- Motivation Educational Association
- Nyomtass te is! (Print it yourself!)
- Ökotárs-Hungarian Environmental Partnership Foundation
- Oktatói Hálózat (OHA) - Hungarian Network of Academics Academics
- School of Public Life
- Tavirozsa Association for Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation
Ireland
- An Taisce - the National Trust for Ireland
- BirdWatch Ireland
- TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland
- Zero Waste Alliance Ireland
Italy
- Amici di Sardegna
- ARCI APS
- ASD VICENZA CALCIO FEMMINILE
- Associazione La Strada ODV
- Associazione non profit Le cose che vanno International
- Centro d'ascolto Mons. Spettu ODV
- CIES ONLUS
- Concord Italy
- Consorzio delle Ong Piemontesi ETS
- Cooperativa Sociale Parsec
- COSPE
- Croce Bianca - Baunei Santa Maria Navarrese
- CSV SARDEGNA SOLIDALE ODV
- CSVPOLIS
- Domus Oristano OdV
- EPLI ENTE PROLOCO ITALIANE
- European Movement Italy
- FNSI - Federazione nazionale Stampa italiana
- Fondazione LILA Milano ETS
- Forum Droghe APS
- Forum nazionale del Terzo Settore
- Haliéus
- I Mandaresi APS Cagliari
- ICARO-ODV
- ISCOS
- ISDE, International Society of Doctors for Environment Italy
- Italian Climate Network
- ITANPUD APS
- ITARDD Italian Harm Reduction Network
- Kyoto Club
- L’Isola di Arran ODV
- La Mente Comune APS
- LEGAMBIENTE
- LILA ONLUS NAZIONALE
- Marche a Rifiuti Zero ETS
- Mediterranea saving humans
- MEDREACT
- Osservatorio Fairwatch
- Paese dell’Acqua
- Parsec ngo
- Progetto Sud ETS
- SITAB (Italian Society of Tobaccology)
- Società Italiana di Tabaccologia
- SOS Elmas
- volontariato sardo
Latvia
- Association of Latvian Organic Agriculture
- Latvia Hemophilia Society
- Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation
- Pasaules dabas fonds
- Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia
- Zero Waste Latvija
Lithuania
- Lithuanian Development Cooperation Platform
- Lithuanian NGDO Platform
- Lithuanian Tobacco and Alcohol Control Coalition
- VšĮ Žiedinė ekonomika
Luxembourg
- Action Solidarité Tiers Monde
- Associtaion luxembourgeoise des journalistes professionnels (ALJP)
- CELL
- Cercle de Coopération des ONGD du Luxembourg
- Le Soleil dans la Main A.S.B.L.
Malta
- Friends of the Earth Malta
- Harm Reduction Malta
- ReLeaf Malta
The Netherlands
- BankTrack
- Correlation-European Harm Reduction Network
- Defend Democracy
- ECNL - European Center for Not-for-Profit Law
- Human Security Collective
- Liga voor de Rechten van de Mens
- Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands)
Poland
- Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (OTOP, BirdLife Poland)
- Alliance of Associations Polish Green Network
- Ethnographic Laboratory Association
- Expedition Inside Culture Association
- Federacja Mazowia
- Foundation "Smart Health - Health in 3D"
- Green REV Institute
- Grupa Zagranica
- Habitat for Humanity Poland
- Institute for Sustainable Development Foundation
- Institute of Public Affairs
- Kultura Liberalna
- National Federation of Polish NGOs
- NOMADA Association
- Open Republic – Association against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia
- Panoptykon Foundation
- Polish Ecological Club Mazovian Branch
- Polish Zero Waste Association
- PREKURSOR Foundation
- Rodzice dla Klimatu
- School with Class Foundation
- Social Ecologic Institut
- Society of Journalists (Warsaw)
- Space for Life Foundation
- The Power of Partnership Foundation / Fundacja Moc Partnerstwa [PL]
- To Proste Foundation
Portugal
- A ROCHA- Associação Cristã de Estudos e Defesa do Ambiente
- Academia Cidadã
- ACI - Centro InterCulturaCidade
- ADRACES
- AEPGA - Associação para o Estudo e Protecção do Gado Asinino
- Alambi - Associação para o estudo e defesa do ambiente do concelho de Alenquer
- ALDEIA
- Almargem Associação de Defesa do Património Cultural e Ambiental do Algarve
- APDES - Piaget Agency for Development
- Ares do Pinhal
- Associação ALDEIA
- Associação Dunas Livres
- Associação Movimento Mira-Minde
- Associação Vita Nativa - Conservação do Ambiente
- AVE - Associação Vimaranense para a Ecologia
- Campo Aberto - associação de defesa do ambiente
- CEENTAA associação cultural e ambiental
- Confederação Portuguesa do Voluntariado
- Cova da Beira Converge
- CPADA - Confederação Portuguesa das Associações de Defesa do Ambiente
- Evoluir Oeiras Associação
- FAPAS - Associação Portuguesa para Conservação da Biodiversidade
- GAT - Grupo de Ativistas em Tratamentos
- GEOTA - Grupo de Estudos de Ordenamento do Território e Ambiente
- Grupo Ecológico de Cascais
- Juntos pelo Sudoeste
- KASA|PT
- Kosmicare
- Liga para a Protecção da Natureza (LPN)
- Movimento Glocal Faro
- NDMALO-GE
- Observalicia
- Oikos - Cooperação e Desenvolvimento
- Palombar - Associação de Conservação da Natureza e do Património Rural
- Pequena Ilha Verde - Associação de Educação Neohumanista
- Pista Mágica
- Plataforma Civica Aeroporto BA6-Montijo Não
- PRIP | Cova da Beira Converge
- proTEJO - Movimento pelo Tejo
- Quercus - Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza
- RWSW
- Sciaena
- SPEA - Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves
- SPECO - Sociedade Portuguesa de Ecologia
- Último Recurso
- ZERO - Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável
Romania
- ActiveWatch
- Aer Pur Romania
- AFFMR
- ARAS - Romanian Association Against AIDS
- ARC
- Asociatia de Ajutor AMURTEL Romania
- Asociatia GEYC
- Asociatia Nevo Parudimos
- Asociatia Orientat
- Asociația Română d Consiliere și Sprijin; Grupul de Acțiune Locală Clisura Dunării
- Asociatia Samusocial din Romania
- Asociatia Unic
- Association Rroma Center "Amare Rromentza"
- Center for Public Innovation
- Center for the Study of Democracy
- Centrul FILIA
- Civic Radauti Association
- CIVICA Association
- Civil Society Development Foundation (FDSC)
- Civitas Foundation for Civil Society Cluj
- E-Romnja Association
- Ecoteca
- eLiberare
- Expert Forum
- FEDERATION OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES-FONSS
- Fundatia Civitas pentru Societatea Civila - Odorheiu Sec.
- Fundatia Comunitara Banatul Montan
- Fundatia Corona
- Fundatia Inima de Copil
- Fundatia PARADA
- FUNDATIA SF. DIMITRIE
- Ghita Eugen
- Impreuna Agency for Community Development
- MASTERPEACE RO
- Miliția Spirituală
- MozaiQ LGBT Association
- Organizatia Umanitara CONCORDIA
- Pro Vobis - National Resource Center for Volunteering
- Resource Center for Public Participation on behalf of NGOs for Citizens Coalition
- Roma Cultural Center O Del Amenca
- Romanian Environmental Partnership Foundation
- Romanian Society of Pneumology
- Romanian Women's Lobby
- Sustainable Development Center
- TERRA Mileniul III
Slovakia
- Civic Association Odyseus
- Friends of the Earth - SPZ
- Iniciatíva Inakosť
- Institute for Circular Economy,
- Nitra Community Foundation
- Platforma dobrovoľníckych centier a organizácií
- Presovske dobrovolnicke centrum
- Rada mládeže Slovenska
- Slovak humanitarian council
- Society for Sustainable Living in the Slovak Republic
- Sytev
- ZIPCeM
Slovenia
- Association for harm reduction Stigma
- Citizen D / Državljan D
- DOPPS-BirdLife Slovenia
- Focus Association for Sustainable Development
- Kultlab Celje Society
- PIC- Legal Center for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment
- Povod Institute
- SIBAHE - Slovenian Food Bank
- Slovene Philanthropy
- Slovenian Coalition for Public Health, Environment and Tobacco Control
- Umanotera
Spain
- ABRACEMOS AL MAR MENOR
- ACCAS, ASOCIACIÓN CIUDADANA CÁNTABRA ANTI SIDA
- ACE Traductores
- ACICOM (ASSOCIACIÓ CIUTADANIA I COMUNICACIÓ)
- Aculco
- ADAVAS - León
- Al Tarab
- AMAL-ASOCIACION MADRILEÑA DE ATEOS Y LIBREPENSADORES
- APEPOC
- Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz
- Asociación Cultural Baizara
- ASOCACION SOCIO-CULTURAL Y DE COOPERACIÓN- ACULCO
ASOCIACIÓN ACERCANDO REALIDADES - Asociación PASOS Participación y Sostenibilidad
- Asociación T4
- Associació Oasiurbà
- ATTAC SPain
- AUXILIA
- Beyond Suncare
- casal la viña
- Centro de Divulgación Cultural del Estrecho Al Tarab
- CIM Burkina
- Confederación Intersindical
- Convergencia de las Culturas
- Coordinadora Estatal de Plataformas Sociales Salesianas
- Creación Positiva
- Ecologistas en Acción
- eco-union
- El Cami
- Entreculturas
- Europimpulse Network
- FAPE
- Federación de Asociaciones de Personas Sordociegas de España (FASOCIDE)
- FUNDACIÓ PAU I SOLIDARITAT-CCOO CATALUNYA
- Fundación 1 de Mayo
- Fundación Asha-Kiran
- Fundación El Pájaro Azul
- Fundación Hazloposible
- Fundación por la Justicia de la Comunitat Valenciana
- Fundación privada Ficat
- Fundación Savia por el Compromiso y los Valores
- Futuro en Común
- IESMALA Association
- Imagen en Acción
- Instituto de Cooperación Internacional y Desarrollo Municipal - INCIDEM
- Irídia - Centre per la Defensa dels Drets Humans
- JUBILADO
- La Bolina
- La Coordinadora de Organizaciones para el Desarrollo
- Lafede.cat - Organitzacions per a la Justícia Global
- medicusmundi spain
- Metzineres
- MUJERES PALANTE
- Nofumadores.org
- ONGAWA
- Perifèries del Mon
- Plataforma catalana de suport al lobby europeu de dones
- Projecte Socioeducatiu Naüm
- Sindicalistas sin Fronteras ISCOD UGT
- SinergiaTIC
- Solidaridad Internacional Andalucia
- UKRAID
Sweden
- AirClim
- Stockholms drug users union
- The National Organization for Relatives to Drug Users (NORD)
International organisations
- Access Now
- ActionAid
- Alliance2015
- Benzo Research Project
- Bridge 47
- Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
- Coalition For Women In Journalism
- Democracy International
- FICEMEA aisbl
- FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights)
- Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) Europe
- Global Forum for Media Development
- Humanists International
- INCHES Network
- InterAgency Institute
- International Alliance of Women
- International Partnership for Human RIghts (IPHR)
- Make Mothers Matter
- Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable
Development (MIO-ECSDE) - Mossy Earth
- Naturfreunde Internationale
- NGO Shipbreaking Platform
- Protection International
- Statewatch
- Terre des Hommes International Federation
- WFIPP
- Women Press Freedom
- World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
Albania
- Albanian Human Rights Group - AHRG
- Association of Journalists of Albania
- Beyond Barriers Association
- Regional Development Agency (RDA)
Armenia
- ARé Cultural Foundation
- Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment NGO
Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Center for Environment / FOE Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Banjaluka
- PROI
- THE BH Journalists Association / BH NOVINARI
Georgia
- CENN (Caucasus Environement NGO Network)
- FCTC Implementation and Monitoring Center in Georgia
Kosovo
- Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Moldova
- Eco-TIRAS International Association of River Keepers
- Terra-1530
- Union for Equity and Health
Montenegro
- NGO Juventas
North Macedonia
- HOPS - Healthy Options Project Skopje
- Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers
- Macedonian Respiratory Society
Norway
- Electronic Frontier Norway
Serbia
- GS KUM Nezavisnost
- Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia
- Initiative for Development and Cooperation
Türkiye
- Association of Journalists (GC)
- Human Rights Foundation of Turkey
Ukraine
- NGO "Advocacy Center LIFE"
United Kingdom
- Child Rights International Network (CRIN)
- Conflict and Environment Observatory
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