News

The compromise made at the European Union summit in December 2020 does not end the battle to protect the rule of law in the EU. We present possible further initiatives for EU institutions, civil society organisations, European parties and member states.

After many weeks of wrangling, the EU summit brough a compromise over the EU’s budget and the rule of law mechanism. Is this result a success for Poland and Hungary or for their opponents?

Due to the degradation of the separation of powers and of the rule of law in Poland the risk of corruption increases. In the study we describe in detail the Polish government’s (anti-)corruption activities in 2015–2019 and present the way out.

EU-wide legislation should be adopted to protect people across the European Union from Strategic Lawsuit against Public Participation (SLAPP). This has to be a priority – together with 100 NGOs we singed an open letter.

Foundations, associations, social cooperatives, rural housewife circles, and other organisations can apply for co-financing. The amount designated for grants is almost 10,5 million of EUR. Grants will be awarded for activities in three areas, which are active citizenship, human rights and equal treatment, and empowerment of vulnerable groups.

A debate on corruption in the context of two massive crises that go beyond individual countries’ borders: the rule-of-law crisis and the pandemic crisis. During two sessions we discussed our current reality, the lessons that will help us avoid similar turmoil in the future, and how we can overcome the challenges that we face today.

The Law and Justice (PiS) government is misleading the public over its dispute with Brussels over the EU budget and rule-of-law conditionality. In doing so, it is stirring up sentiment against the EU, Poland’s European partners and the western social model. We debunk five of the main myths pushed by PiS politicians.

The European Parliament and the German Presidency of the Council of the EU clinched a deal. The agreement foresees a significant increase in the budget for the Justice, Rights and Values programme, raising from 0.8 to €1.6 billion. Hundreds of civic organisations advocated for a budget that provides support to civil society organisations promoting and protecting common European values.

Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election in the United States is good news for Europe and Poland. However, even if it is followed by attempts to create a new transatlantic partnership, rebuilding this alliance will entail many difficult decisions – writes Piotr Buras.

From 385 projects approved for the detailed project submission stage, 223 have been awarded the following number of grants, divided into thematic outcomes:

We believe that national courts ought to apply existing mechanisms designed to protect human rights and liberties, including the diffused constitutional review of the legislation and constitutionally-minded interpretations – writes The Legal Experts Group.

Belarusian singer Nasta Niakrasava performs Jacek Kaczmarski’s “Mury” (Walls) with the accompaniment of Jacek Kleyff. Translated into Belarusian by Andrei Khadanovich, the legendary song of the Catalan singer Lluis Llach “L’Estac”, became an opposition anthem before the presidential elections in Belarus.

The scale of the newly-announced report by the EC on the state of the rule of law in the EU is not commensurate with the size of the problem. The same is true of the current version of the draft legislation on introducing a mechanism for defending the rule of law – write Szymon Ananicz and Piotr Buras.

European civil society has played an unprecedented role in mitigating the impact of Covid-19 in EU member states. Yet the European Commission proposed to reduce budget for CSOs in the new MFF Rights and Values programme.
Szymon Ananicz from ideaForum and Alberto Alemanno call for European Commission to increase the budget for civil society.

The Open Society Institute – Sofia Foundation launches a call for proposals by civil society organisations seeking to support the inclusion of so far marginalized and excluded groups and communities to address climate justice issues in the countries of Central Eastern Europe.

All of Poland is applauding healthcare workers for their heroism and backbreaking work – they are heroes of our time. Yet, for the authorities, they are only heroes as long as they do not question official statements. If they do, they become seen as disloyal workers – writes Marcin Waszak.