Civil Society Europe (CSE) Joins Steering Group on Civil Society Platform

Last year, the European Commission unveiled its Civil Society Strategy – a pivotal development in their efforts to protect, support, and empower civil society. This strategy comes at a critical moment after years of campaigning from civil society at national and EU level calling for such an initiative. It affirms the sector’s role in shaping policy, representing diverse perspectives, defending democracy across the EU, and upholding the rule of law.

The strategy covers three strands: 

• Strengthening engagement: establishing regular dialogue with civil society.
• Support and protection: ensuring civil society is protected through an online hub and working with member states to build capacity and strengthen civic space. 
• Funding: securing adequate funding for civil society in the next EU long-term budget.

As part of this strategy, the Commission has committed to develop a ‘Civil Society Platform’ – a fundamental mechanism that provides a space for the Commission to engage meaningfully with civil society actors in a structured way. It will also act as a place where civil society actors can raise the challenges they face working in these areas. The platform will be a key method of implementing the overall strategy, and is an example of civil dialogue – something that we have advocated tirelessly for in recent years. 

We are honoured to announce our involvement in the steering group of this platform, together with the European Commission, the Fundamental Rights Agency and the European Economic and Social Committee. This group will set the internal working methods and overall direction that the platform will head in. 

We greatly anticipate the outcomes that this will bring. CSE remains committed to bringing the voice of civil society to this platform. We, along with our collaborators, will ensure that it is in line with civil society priorities and look forward to working together to encourage a vibrant civic space in the EU.