Find here Civil Society Europe’s (CSE) most recent news, statements and press releases.
For media enquiries, please contact: contact[at]civilsocietyeurope[dot]eu
Towards a Democratic, Socially, and Environmentally Just EU – Civil Society State of the Union 2025
Civil Society Europe, along with a large group of civil society organisations, present our ‘Civil Society State of the Union 2025’ report. This document is both a response and a proposal – it aims to present the EU’s current state and propose solutions for positive change.
We hope this document provides a sound basis as we work towards a democratic, socially, and environmentally just EU.
Our Statement on the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme in the Next EU Budget
The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme is built to empower civil society in upholding fundamental rights and advancing the EU’s core values at the grassroots level. As the Commission prepares its proposal for the next MFF, we, civil society organisations from across Europe, therefore call for a strengthened and future-proofed approach to civil society support.
Transparency or NGO Hunt?
On June 19th, the Conference of Presidents made the decision to establish a working group in the European Parliament to scrutinize NGO funding. We condemn the continuation of these baseless attacks on civil society, which further risks shrinking civic space even more at a time when citizens’ voices deserve more representation at EU level.
The Importance of EU Funding to Civil Society Organisations: Common Civil Society Requests for Operating Grants (OGs)
Operating grants (OGs) are a key method that allows civil society to carry out their missions. In this document, we outline their importance, the challenges faced by CSOs in relation to them, and recommendations for improvement in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
Standing for Democracy: Our Statement on the Democracy Shield
With the rise of authoritarianism and constant change in geopolitical alliances taking place, Europe must prioritise international cooperation while ceasing to rely on outsourcing aspects of its security. Our statement on the democracy shield outlines our stance – that a human-centred approach to security must be implemented.
Joint Civil Society Contribution on Civic Space to the 2025 Rule of Law Report
CSE and partners are proud to present our 2025 contribution on civic space under the framework of the rule of law report! Together, we provided a snapshot of the current state of civic space across the EU.
Several Civil Society Organisations Call for Rejection of Inquiry Committee on NGO Funding
Civil Society Europe, Transparency International EU, and the European Environmental Bureau call on the Conference of Presidents in our joint letter to reject the proposal to establish a committee of inquiry on the Commission’s funding of NGOs.
An inquiry committee is used to investigate genuine breaches of EU law, not to prolong attacks against civil society.
The Need for Transparency is Clear – An Updated Analysis on the Transparency of Permanent Representations to the EU
In 2023, Civil Society Europe carried out a comprehensive assessment on the level of transparency of all Permanent Representations to the EU, using publicly available information from their websites as the information source. Our updated analysis looks to identify if any improvements have been made since then, or if transparency has worsened across the Permanent Representations.
What is the Role of Quality in Strengthening Civil Society in Europe? Key Insights From the CoQuality & CSE Survey
At a time when social divides are deepening and trust in institutions is eroding, the role of civil society has never been more critical. CoQuality (a European network promoting quality culture in the third sector) and Civil Society Europe (CSE) joined forces in 2024 to assess how NGOs perceive and prioritize quality standards, and learn about shared challenges in our survey “QUALITY STANDARDS AND QUALITY COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORKS FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS”
No Scandal, No Misuse of Funds – But the Commission Needs to Invest in a More Understandable Database
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) report on the transparency of EU funding to NGOs confirms what civil society has stated all along: there is no evidence of irregularities or misuse in how NGOs are selected or how EU grants are used. This directly undermines politically motivated claims for certain political groups that NGOs are improperly influencing EU policymaking through public funding. The facts simply don’t support that narrative.
Attacks on NGOs in the European Parliament – 600 Organisations Join Forces to Defend Civil Society
European civil society organisations (CSOs) are currently facing an attack coming from certain Members of the European Parliament. Spearheaded by some MEPs from the European People’s Party (EPP) and by far-right groups, this attack resorts to misleading arguments to fabricate a scandal.
Common Civil Society Position Paper on the Outline of the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework
This document provides civil society’s position and proposals on the outline for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework’s (MFF) negotiations. Civil Society calls for an open and rights-based approach in the development of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to ensure full support for the fundamental pillars of the EU.
A Patchwork of Opacities: CSE Reports on the Transparency of European Parliament Committees in the 2019-2024 Term
Transparency of decision making processes is a key element for democracy. That is why Civil Society Europe (CSE) performed an analysis of the transparency of Committees and subcommittees in the European Parliament active at the end of the 2019-2024 term.
The EU must ensure the conditions for an open public debate on EU policies
Civil Society Europe Published a statement in view of the European Parliamentary Debate on EU Financing through the LIFE programme of entities lobbying EU institutions and the need for transparency taking place on 22 January 2025. As the coordination of civil society organisations (CSOs) representing citizens, we believe that the EU must ensure the conditions for an open public debate on environmental issues, as well as on all other EU policies.
Civil Society Europe’s statement on the proposal for a Civil Society Platform
Civil Society Europe welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to establish a ‘Civil Society Platform to support more systematic civil dialogue’, as stated in the mission letter to the Commissioner-designate for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law Michael McGrath.
416 civil society organisations call for urgent action to uphold democracy and foster civic space
On the occasion of International Day of Democracy, Civil Society Europe (CSE), together with 415 civil society organisations, platforms and networks across the EU, issued an urgent open letter to the leaders of the EU institutions. The letter calls for decisive action to foster a vibrant civic space, uphold democracy, and safeguard fundamental rights in the upcoming legislative term.
A setback for civil society engagement: the European Commission will not restore staff contact details in the ‘Whoiswho’ Directory
In a joint statement published on 10 September, Civil Society Europe and Social Platform warned that the European Commission’s decision not to restore staff contact details in the ‘Whoiswho’ Directory sets back EU transparency and civil society engagement.
Read the press release.
Journalists and civil society sound the alarm: the Foreign Interference Directive poses risks to media freedom in the EU
ARTICLE 19, Civil Society Europe and the European Federation of Journalists warned that the proposed Foreign Interference Directive has the potential to negatively impact the media sector and restrict media freedom in the EU.
Read their joint statement here.
Farewell to the EnTrust Project: Revisit our key outputs!
After four fruitful years, it’s time to say goodbye to the EnTrust project! During this time, CSE explored the intricate trust relationships between pan-European civil society organizations and EU institutions, coming up with resources designed to support CSOs, policymakers, and stakeholders in their efforts to create a more trustworthy civil dialogue at the EU and national levels.
Revisit here our most relevant outputs, which encapsulate our findings and recommendations!
The “Civil Society for EU” campaign reached 300 commitments from candidates!
Over 300 candidates for the EP elections have already signed the “Civil Society for EU” campaign pledge in support of European civil society! The full list can be found on the campaign website.
Implemented by CSE and Social Platform, “Civil Society for EU” is an elections campaign that calls on future policy leaders and institutions to better recognise, support and engage with civil society through concrete policy measures.
Civil Society Europe (CSE) launches a new training manual about civil dialogue
CSE is excited to launch the training manual “Introduction to Civil Dialogue”, developed within the ‘EnTrust project. The manual aims to contribute to a culture of civil dialogue in EU public officials, by providing trainers with exercises to raise awareness about its importance and implement the principles of civil dialogue and citizens’ accessibility to EU policy-making. Read more.
Defence of Democracy Package: Civil society and academia sound the alarm
On 10 April, nearly 100 people from civil society, academia and the EU institutions gathered at the European Parliament for the event “Defence of democracy package & fundamental rights: What is at stake?”. Hosted by MEP Anna Donáth and co-organised by CSE and the European University Association, the event dealt with the proposed Directive on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries, part of the European Commission’s Defence of Democracy Package.
The concensus among the speakers: an ineffective proposed Directive on foreign interest representation will harm civic space and academic freedom. Read here the highlights of the event, including speakers main arguments agains the Directive.
Empower your social and civic activism with the EnTrust Wiki!
Within the framework of the Enlightened Trust (EnTrust) project, CSE has developed the EnTrust Wiki, a collaborative website that aims to interactively present how the EU institutions work and how activists can concretely participate in EU policymaking.
Explore the new website here!
Civil Society Europe joins the European Parliament’s campaign for the EU elections!
Civil Society Europe (CSE) and the European Parliament (EP) signed a partnership agreement in April to collaborate to multiply the impact of the EP’s communication campaigns aiming to support democratic engagement in the EU, notably in the run-up to the 2024 European elections.
The EP and CSE share the common objective of promoting democratic engagement in the EU and urging civil society to play an active role in the European democratic process, including by participating in the European elections.
Learn more about the EP’s campaign here.
Response from the EU institutions to the open letter #EUCivilDialogueNow
19 March 2024
The President of the European Parliament (EP), Roberta Metsola, and the Vice President of the European Commission (EC), Věra Jourová, replied to the open letter #EUCivilDialogueNow sent by Civil Society Europe and the Civil Society Organisations’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The open letter, sent on 24 January 2024 and supported by 156 signatories, urged the EC, EP, and the Council of the European Union to take concrete measures to implement an open, transparent and regular dialogue with civil society organisations in all policy areas, as set out in Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union.
Read the European Parliament’s response here and the European Commission’s reply here.
Open letter: Universities and civil society express concerns about the European Commission’s Defence of Democracy Package
25 January 2024
CSE and The European University Association (EUA) voiced their concerns over the planned directive on covert foreign interference —as part of the Defence of Democracy package announced on 12 December 2023— in a letter sent to the European Parliament, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European, and the Permanent Representatives of the Member States. Read more.
Press release: EU institutions must respect Treaty on EU and implement structured civil dialogue now
24 January 2024
European civil society sent an open letter to the European Commission, European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union urging the three institutions to take concrete measures to implement an open, transparent and regular dialogue with civil society organisations in all policy areas, as set out in Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union.
The open letter, supported by 156 signatories from 26 Member States, was initiated by CSE and the Civil Society Organisations’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and includes specific proposals for implementation. Read more.
Transparency & accountability of NGOs funded by the EU: Much Ado About Nothing!
17 January 2024
The own-initiative report adopted on January 17th, 2024 by the European Parliament (EP) on the transparency and accountability of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) funded from the EU budget (A9-0446/2023) is extremely concerning. Civil Society Europe cannot endorse a report that is largely based on assumptions or opinions and is not justified by any substantiated analysis by EU institutions and bodies or verified risks or malpractice.
Open letter: CSOs call on MEPs to adopt the European Parliament’s proposals to amend the EU Treaties and on the European Council to convene a Convention to revise the Treaties
Civil Society Europe (CSE) and 16 other civil society organisations call on MEPs to adopt the European Parliament’s proposals to amend the EU Treaties and on the European Council to convene a Convention to revise the Treaties.
Civil Society Europe analysis reveals significant differences in the level of transparency of the Permanent Representations of Member States to the EU
4 October 2023
Civil Society Europe is making public an analysis of the level of transparency of all Permanent Representations of Member States to the European Union. The analysis shows significant differences in the level of transparency of the Permanent Representations. While some of them make all of the information publicly available, others barely disclose their internal structure and do not reveal which interest representatives the ambassadors are meeting…