In a joint letter, a coalition of 522 organisations has called on EU policymakers to defend a substantial budget increase for AgoraEU, the dedicated funding instrument for culture, independent media and journalism, fundamental rights and civil society. Despite its strategic importance, in its initial proposal the programme represents only 0.43% of the total EU budget — a level the coalition considers is insufficient to match the scale of the challenges facing these sectors.
In our opinion, social organisations should have the same opportunities to operate in Europe as profit-making entities in the single European market. That is why, together with more than 250 organisations from across Europe, we supported a letter to the European Commission this week. It calls on the Commission to reverse its decision and continue work on the directive establishing European Cross-Border Associations (ECBAs).
We took part in the next stage of consultations conducted by the European Commission on the proposed draft of future EU programs. These consultations concern EU funds supporting cross-border education, training and solidarity, youth, media, culture and creative sectors, values, and civil society.
This report is based on the findings of the Capacity of NGOs 2024 survey conducted by the Klon/Jawor Association on a national sample of 1012 foundations and associations. The survey is conducted since 2002 and it is the largest independent survey of foundations and associations in Poland. We co-financed this study.
The Stefan Batory Foundation has submitted its comments on the European Commission’s proposal to create a European Civil Society Strategy. In the document submitted to the Commission, we outlined, among other things, the necessity of the strategy and the key elements it should encompass. The European Civil Society Strategy must provide binding protections, sustainable funding, and structured participation mechanisms. By engaging, protecting, supporting, and enabling CSOs, the EU will reinforce democracy, resilience, and public trust across Europe.
