It’s that time of year where the European Commission President takes stock of where Europe is and where we’re headed, in their ‘State of the Union’ (SOTEU) speech. From security and defence to social media, AI, and the climate crisis – Europe can’t afford to stand still, and civil society is one of the sectors that will push Europe in the right direction.
Every 2 years, we coordinate the Civil Society State of the Union, a document combining civil society’s vision for a more democratic, socially, and environmentally just EU. Our latest edition was prepared bottom up with a large number of organisations covering a diverse range of causes, was launched at an event hosted by the President of the European Parliament, and was sent to the Commission President, the College of Commissioners and other institutional stakeholders. As the process of setting the EU’s priorities remains a largely top down exercise, this is a reminder of what’s needed to build a Europe where citizens are heard and achieve an open, transparent and regular dialogue with civil society
With defence and security taking centre stage, we must think of defence as more than just military investment. It should include broader resilience across society, where civil society has a vital part to play. Healthcare, energy, food safety, water resilience, and inclusive social and educational policies cannot be pushed to the side. The EU has a real opportunity to be a beacon of peace, freedom and democracy in times of global upheaval.
This summer, every citizen across our continent felt the real impacts of climate change. As heatwaves tore across Europe, ordinary people were the ones to bear the consequences of years of avoidance of the climate crisis. The EU long-term budget must prioritise environmental protection through adequate funding, and implement policies that align with our climate targets.
Europe must take the lead on the digital transformation and leave no one behind in the process. Social media platforms should be regulated to prevent the spread of disinformation and protect the most vulnerable. The EU digital space must be based on European values: this means promoting free, open and interoperable European-developed digital technologies that respect our environment and human rights. AI must be regulated properly, specifically on its use in the workplace, to protect workers and ensure this technology is being used to address real societal challenges.
We hope that this year’s State of the Union speech steers Europe in the right direction. Read our latest edition here and get ready for our 2027 edition!