In 2022 more than 340 European civil society organisations united to call for an EU Civil Society Strategy.
This mass mobilisation followed years of campaigning for the European Commission to adopt a strategy to protect civil society and enable it to grow – as threats against it mounted across Europe. This call was backed by Philanthropy and many politicians.
In November, the Commission’s Strategy finally arrived. It lays out a “series of concrete measures to empower, protect, and promote strong and resilient democracies across the EU.”
The strategy was broadly welcomed by civil society, and can be seen as a landmark recognition of its essential role in democracy.
Raffaella Bolini, Co-President of the European Civic Forum (ECF), captured the prevailing mood:
“In these dark times, we urgently need concrete measures to support civil society. The encouraging words and good intentions in this strategy must now be turned into real action.”
Civil society and foundations are indeed ready to engage with the Commission on the strategy. But what are its limitations? And how can its fine words translate into meaningful deeds?
The Bottom Line
The strategy echoes many of civil society’ calls.
One of its key objectives include fostering engagement between civil society and EU policymakers, and recognising the need for it to also occur at national level. The strategy also notes that for “this engagement to be effective… civil society needs an enabling, safe and supportive environment” including “adequate protection for CSOs and human rights defenders (HRDs) who experience an overall shrinking civic space, and who face threats and attacks in relation to their work”.
The bottom line, as ever, is funding.
The strategy notes that “sustainable and transparent financial support is essential for a thriving civil society”, referencing the EUR 9 billion Commission has earmarked for the new AgoraEU programme – which will support culture, media, democracy, civil society, and fundamental rights – in its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU’s long-term budget.
Yet this funding is far from certain.
The MFF will be negotiated over the next 18 months, and a divide over supporting civil society and independent media has arisen between the Commission and the Parliament. As part of what many see as a campaign to stifle civil society, the latter has set up a new scrutiny working group (SWG), to probe EU funding for NGOs. This tension extends to member states, with governments in Germany, France, and the Netherlands all cutting NGO funding.
As well as AgoraEU, the MFF contains National and Regional Partnership Plans: in which the Commission will essentially give members states cash for reform. For civil society, the key here is to be involved in developing, monitoring and supporting the implementation of these plans. The partnership principle is paramount.
Structured dialogue
While the strategy can be a tool enabling civil society to engage in decision making processes in their countries, the danger is if member states see it as a means for the Commission to evaluate and control how participatory that decision making process is.
The Commission pledges to set up a structured dialogue with civil society, through the Civil Society Platform. This would be a sort of ‘one stop shop’ where CSOs can engage with policymakers – which has long been a civil society request in order to help them better navigate the EU’s complex regulatory and legislative processes. The Commission also emphasises the importance of involving young people in the decisions affecting their lives.
Foundations’ role recognised
The strategy provides a road map for good governance, and how EU institutions, particularly the Commission, should act, as well as hopefully being a model for member states to provide space for civil society voices to be heard. It also aims to promote democratic values outside of the EU, with civil society playing a key role.
While the strategy emphasises that “EU funding is key to empowering CSOs”, it also – very positively – highlights the “increasing role for private donors (including businesses) and philanthropic organisations” in meeting civil society’s funding needs, and says it will facilitate dialogue between these donors and CSOs, including via the Civil Society Platform.
We believe this dialogue could offer a vital opportunity for pro-democratic, pro-EU forces to come together to bring an at-scale, coherent response against anti-democratic forces, who are often well organised.
Civitates is ready to play our part in helping ensure that the strategy is implemented and well- resourced.
Let the work begin.
