Humanists International, alongside 415 civil society organisations from 26 EU Member States and four candidate countries, has signed a letter urging the upcoming leadership of the European Union to prioritise the protection of civic space and the reinforcement of democratic structures across Europe. Addressed to key EU officials, the letter emphasises the vital role that civil society plays in safeguarding fundamental rights and upholding democracy within the EU.
Among the key proposals outlined in the letter is the development of a European Civil Society Strategy as part of a broader European Democracy Agenda. Such a strategy is necessary to ensure a coherent policy framework that recognises and supports the diverse roles of civil society in fostering democratic engagement and promoting human rights. Furthermore, it calls for the appointment of a dedicated Commission Vice President for democracy, civic space, and dialogue with civil society, with the authority to lead the implementation of the strategy and respond swiftly to attacks on civic actors.
Additionally, the letter advocates for the establishment of a Civil Dialogue Agreement between EU institutions and civil society, ensuring permanent and meaningful interaction between policymakers and CSOs.
Another central demand is the improvement of EU funding policies for civil society, calling for a reduction in administrative burdens and an increase in the budget for the Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values Programme (CERV).
Finally, the letter highlights the need for a stronger role for the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) as a key European human rights institution, with the capacity to issue opinions on EU policies and play a more central role in policy impact assessments.
Tania Giacomuzzi Mota, European Advocacy Officer at Humanists International affirmed:
Humanists International stands firmly with fellow civil society organisations in urging the EU to adopt these recommendations and create a more robust framework for supporting civil society.
Featured photo by Guillaume Périgois on Unsplash
