More than 30 platforms of civil society organisations have written to the Presidents of the EU institutions and to the different actors involved in the negotiations for the next Multinnual Financial Framework 2021-2027 to call for a more ambitious agreement, taking fully into account the concerns of civil society and people in Europe, calling them to:

• • • Launch a consultation ahead of the drafting of the national implementations plans for the recovery fund that would allow civil society and people to express their views.
    • Involve civil society organisations in the governance of the Recovery and Resilience Facility of the Recovery Plan, and be able to evaluate the national implementation plans and provide direct input to the Commission, as well as monitor their implementation.
    • Increase funding for Europe’s flagship programmes, which support key priorities for citizens and in sectors that have been among the most highly impacted by the pandemic, such as protection of the environment, social inclusion, democracy and fundamental rights, equality between women and men, culture, education, health, and in particular: Erasmus +, Creative Europe, the Justice, Rights and Values Programmes, Life, EU4Health Programme. The amounts proposed in the European Council agreement do not respond to current needs.
    • Agree on a strong rule of law conditionality regulation which is a factor that will make or break the EU’s credibility and accountability, and ensure that in case of significant rule of law and fundamental rights breaches, those who need funding are not penalised, and that
      it is made available to beneficiaries through direct management by the European Commission.
    • Reach an ambitious agreement on the extension of EU own resources so as to be able to meet EU needs on a long term basis.

We are ready to work with you on these critical matters and remain at your disposal for a follow up meeting.

Please find the full letter here.