CSE at a Glance

Civil Society Europe (CSE) brings together 28 European platforms and members of civil society organisations (CSOs) working towards regenerating the European project around the shared values of Equality, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Democracy

Who we are

Our main objectives are to facilitate and enable horizontal and vertical dialogue between European civil society organisations and policy-makers and help strengthen CSOs in their activities and relations with the institutions.

The organisation was founded in December 2014 in Rome at the close of the European Year of Citizens as an initiative of organisations that had worked together in the European Year of Citizens Alliance. Its membership has grown since then to encompass the various sectors of civil society.

Our history and objectives

CSE has been established as an international not-for-profit organisation under Belgian law since June 2016.
CSE is co-funded by the European Union and receives further funding through membership fees, member contributions and private donors.
CSE is an independent voice promoting a space for structured civil dialogue and citizens’ participation at all levels.

Our mission

CSE’s mission is to contribute to EU recognition of the essential role and value of independent and plural CSOs in building and nurturing a democratic society that is based on fundamental rights.

Our goals

CSE works to create the conditions for a strong and independent civil society voice, structured dialogue at EU level, and a thriving civic space across the Union. Our mission, as established in our statutes and the Rome Declaration, is to:

Policy development

Contribute to policy development on transversal issues of common interest as agreed by the membership.

Recognition

Strive for the recognition of civil society organisations by policymakers.

Civic space

Promote civic space for civil society at all relevant levels based on fundamental rights.

Exchanges

Create an enabling environment for horizontal exchanges between civil society organisations and movements across Europe.

Democracy

Ensure the renewal of European Democracy, promoting the transparency of decision making and participation of civil society organisations in European decision making processes.

Our working groups

Civic Space and Fundamental Rights

Civil Society State of the Union

Funding

Communication