At a time when basic civic rights are under attack accross Europe and globally the European Union should lead by example by strnegthening democracy and ensuring the conditions for civil society to flourish. CSE calls on putting in place a number of measures that will support and develop civic space in Europe aimed at actively involving and promoting the participation of civil society organisations in EU policy making by actively protecting civil society organisations, and preventing new legislation from further restricting Europe’s civic space:
- developing an open, regular, transparent, accessible, and inclusive dialogue with civil society
- a Vice President in charge of the protection and promotion of civil society in the European Union
- a High Representative for Foreign Affairs committed to civic space
- a focal point for civil society within each Directorate General
- civil society organisations as key partners in the preparation of the future of Europe conference
- a fully transparent decision-making process
- including civil society in the rule of law mechanism
- establish a EU coordinator on rule of law and civic space
- ensure transparent, increased and accessible EU funding for civil society
- include in all EU impact assessments freedom of association, assembly and expression
You can find here the full letter to the elected President of the European Commission.