We welcome the European Commission’s proposal for the AgoraEU programme and other initiatives under the scope of current consultations. In our opinion they not only are in line with the European Commission 2024-2029 Political Guidelines, but also with the priority of a free and democratic Europe set out in the 2024-2029 EU Strategic Agenda. In our feedback opinion we especially focus on planned AgoraEU programme, while endorsing not only the scope of its work, which aims to support the pillars of a strong democracy, including culture, media and civil society. We are also pleased to note the positive developments regarding the value of proposed suport, as the AgoraEU proposal provides for a total financial envelope of EUR 8.58 billion, exceeding the combined allocations of the current CERV and Creative Europe programmes and thereby enabling reinforced investment in culture, the media, democracy, rights and equality. We believe that the Commission’s proposal will go a long way towards meeting the needs of European societies and recognises the role that civil society organisations (CSOs) play in meeting those needs.
In addition, we believe that for the new EU funding period, we need solutions that (1) will enable us to fully capitalise on the potential of the European civil society sector; (2) will promote greater access to EU funds for smaller organisations, including those operating at local level and (3) the shape of the future EU budget allowing also for the implementation of the provisions of bold policy documents recently adopted by the European Commission. These are, namely, the European Civil Society Strategy and the European Democracy Shield. Achieving all these goals will be possible thanks to the recommendations presented in the following sections of our opinion.
In order to operate effectively, CSOs need support that is not only adequate in amount, but also allocated on the basis of appropriate rules. The latter should enable achieving the results falling in two main thematic areas. 1. Increasing the accessibility of funds for smaller CSOs and making spending rules more flexible through: expanding the use of grant distribution by intermediaries, which independence from public authorities and compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights should be secured; guaranteing CSOs’ access to institutional (operating) grants in all new programmes and their individual strands; limitting OR removing co-financing requirement for non-profit organisations acting as intermediaries under cascading grants scheme, as well as for smaller CSOs; establishing, in the regulations defining individual programmes and the rules for their implementation, a minimum level of funds that must be allocated to independent civil society organisations under each programme and its every strand. 2. Introducing mechanisms that will enable the implementation of EU policies on civil society by: explicitly recognising in the AgoraEU regulation the role of advocacy as a key part of CSOs’ work and the involvement of civil society in policymaking as integral elements of strengthening democratic participation and societal resilience; transfering the current Working Group on Civil Dialogue mechanism to the AgoraEU regulation to use the experience form this already proven structure when creating a new system of civil dialogue; adding a coordination mechanism between various donors and philanthropic organisations to facilitate strategic dialogue and enable co-granting and strategic collaboration with EU programmes.
These are just the most significant solutions worth implementing in the final version of the documents defining the structure and rules for spending the future multiannual financial framework. A more detailed description of our postulates contains the attached document.
More on European Commistion’s website
EU Civil Society Strategy – about the initiative
Civil society organizations are essential to democracy, social cohesion, and resilience in Europe. They face shrinking civic space, legal harassment, funding restrictions, and digital threats. A strong European Civil Society Strategy should secure their role through four main pillars: Engage, Protect, Support, Enable.
ENGAGE – Strengthening Dialogue and Participation
The EU should create a permanent civil dialogue framework through an inter-institutional agreement under Article 11 TEU. Dialogue must be transparent, inclusive, representative, and grounded in EU values. Clear eligibility criteria and monitoring systems are needed for CSO participation. One European Commissioner should coordinate and oversee dialogue. CSO representation in the European Economic and Social Committee should be harmonized, and a new Civil Society Platform within the Commission should include grassroots actors. Commission and Parliament offices in member states should systematically consult CSOs and support co-creation of policies. Cooperation between CSOs, governments, and business should be promoted.
PROTECT – Safeguarding Rights and Freedoms
Restrictive “foreign agent” laws should be opposed and misuse of transparency measures prevented. The EU should establish monitoring and rapid response mechanisms against legal, administrative, or narrative suppression of CSOs. Freedom of assembly and association must be safeguarded through binding commitments. CSOs and activists need protection from SLAPPs, harassment, and violence, with EU-wide anti-SLAPP and whistleblower legislation. Common EU standards on digital rights and cybersecurity are needed, including oversight of spyware and support for CSO digital capacity. CSOs should be supported in combating disinformation through funding, fact-based communication, and media literacy initiatives. The EU rule-of-law conditionality mechanism must include strong protections for CSOs and a new Democracy Resilience Fund should be created.
SUPPORT – Securing Sustainable Funding
Restrictions on CSO access to public funds should be monitored and reported, for example through the Rule of Law Report. Political tools, including Article 7 TEU, should be used to address funding suppression. The 2028–34 Multiannual Financial Framework must guarantee accessible and flexible funding, confirming allocations for the Agora Programme (8.582 billion euros) and the CERV component (3.596 billion euros). Grassroots access should be simplified by lighter procedures, re-granting, and reduced co-financing requirements. Multi-annual institutional support should be provided, including resources for staff well-being. Rapid response funding must be established for CSOs under attack. Philanthropy should be encouraged through tax incentives and by removing intra-EU barriers, with matching fund schemes created. Cooperation with philanthropic organizations should be strengthened.
ENABLE – Building Resilience and Capacity
CSOs should be recognized as strategic partners in societal and geopolitical resilience. Dedicated resilience-building funds should strengthen local roots, organizational capacity, and crisis response. A whole-of-society defence approach should include CSOs. Administrative burdens should be reduced. Investments in education, preparedness, and digital security capacity are necessary. EU-wide CSO networks should be supported for cross-border cooperation. Philanthropic capital must be allowed to flow freely and transparently across the Union.
CONCLUSION
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.
Read Feedback from: Fundacja im. Stefana Batorego (Stefan Batory Foundation)
