Oświadczenia

At the same time, structural funding gaps have emerged following the retrenchment of major
international funders, including significant reductions by actors such as USAID and large philanthropic foundations. 

Authoritarian actors have simultaneously increased investment in influence operations. Russia’s federal budget allocated approximately 120 billion RUB (around €1.4 billion at the time) to mass media in 2021, with subsequent budget laws indicating further increases in state-supported information activities. In 2024, significant additional resources were directed to patriotic films, youth festivals and related cultural initiatives aimed at reinforcing official narratives. China has likewise expanded its footprint through strategic investments and influence operations.

As recognised in the Declaration on the Necessity of Culture and Media adopted under the Danish Presidency of the Council, culture and media are integral to Europe’s societal resilience and democratic security. AgoraEU therefore contributes not only to cultural vitality, but to the Union’s resilience against FIMI and other hybrid threats, while strengthening the competitiveness of Europe’s cultural and media ecosystems.

The Polish Presidency conclusions on democratic resilience underline that adequate financing for civil society organisations and human rights defenders is essential to safeguarding checks and balances and Union values. Sectoral evidence shows that needs across all three pillars outpace available resources. While the baseline AgoraEU envelope is ambitious, it does not fully match the scale of the challenges identified.

Private funding streams remain structurally constrained: journalism revenues have declined significantly; recovery in cultural sectors remains uneven; and philanthropic funding for civil society is volatile. Robust EU-level support is therefore indispensable. Culture and cultural & creative sectors public support for EU action in culture is strong: 87% of Europeans consider culture and cultural exchange very important at EU level. Yet Creative Europe Culture remains structurally oversubscribed. In the latest European Cooperation Projects call, only 122 of 1,663 proposals were selected — a 7% success rate. The cultural and creative sectors employ 8.7 million people and generate nearly 4% of EU GDP, with €200 billion in annual value added. Adequate funding within AgoraEU is essential to maintain accessibility, territorial balance and impact. 

Media and journalism

The European Media Industry Outlook 2025 documents an annual €7 billion decline in journalism revenues between 2019 and 2023. Two-thirds of Europeans pay nothing for news and newsroom employment continues to decline. Data shows that traditional media remain significantly more trusted than social media platforms. Strengthening trusted information providers is therefore a matter of democratic resilience, societal security and economic stability. Local and regional outlets are disproportionately affected, and European news organisations face a growing investment gap in digital infrastructure and innovation compared to global platforms. These developments directly affect democratic resilience and the Union’s capacity to counter FIMI and other hybrid threats. While the MEDIA+ strand of AgoraEU is a crucial response, the proposed envelope remains modest relative to the scale of market erosion identified by the Commission. Independent media and journalism must be recognised as critical infrastructure and supported accordingly.

Civil society and democratic participation

CERV has delivered tangible impact in safeguarding rights and the rule of law, combating gender-based violence and all forms of discrimination, yet calls remain severely oversubscribed. According to the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (2024), 85% of civil society organisations working on fundamental rights fear that funding shortages threaten their work — a 10-point increase year-on-year. Civil society actors are increasingly tasked with defending the rule of law and fundamental rights without proportional resources. Additional support is required to ensure accessibility and territorial reach of grassroots organisations and balance among macro-regions, as well as for the implementation of the Strategy for Civil Society, particularly the establishment of an EU protection mechanism for civil society and human rights defenders under attack, and the new EU Equality strategies.

We welcome and support the European Parliament’s proposal to increase the AgoraEU envelope. Amendments strengthening its financial allocation are justified in light of documented structural gaps and the programme’s strategic importance, particularly given that, according to the European Parliamentary Research Service, even at the reinforced level AgoraEU would represent approximately 0.43% of the overall Multiannual Financial Framework. We encourage the EU institutions to maintain AgoraEU as a key priority throughout MFF negotiations. Revenues from fines under the Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act and AI Act could provide an additional allocation mechanism.

We explicitly support directing decommitted funds resulting from the Rule of Law Conditionality Mechanism towards reinforcing programmes that strengthen democratic resilience, independent media, civil society and the rule of law. Allocating such funds to AgoraEU would ensure that withheld resources are reinvested in strengthening democratic safeguards.

We call on the Council and the Commission to work with the Parliament to ensure that the final envelope enables effective and inclusive implementation across all Member States. At a time when Europe’s cultural ecosystems, information space and civic participation are under sustained pressure, reinforcing AgoraEU is a forward-looking investment in the Union’s social and democratic infrastructure. We stand ready to contribute constructively to the ongoing discussions and to support the effective implementation of AgoraEU in the next programming period.

Yours sincerely,

Center for Sustainable Media
Civil Society Europe
Culture Action Europe
European Civic Forum
European Federation of Journalists
Irish Council of Civil Liberties

Supporting Organisations:

European Level

Transparency International EU
Logiq Media
SembraMedia
European Fact-Checking Standards Network
European Journalism Centre
Stand Up for Europe
Pro Publico
RECLAIM
Transparency International EU
POUR LA SOLIDARITE
Space-time Works
Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Culture and Education
YOUROPE e.V. – The European Festival Association
Trans Europe Halles
Eurozine
On the Move
NEMO – The Network of European Museum Organisation
European Festivals Association (EFA)
European Association of Independent Performing Arts
Angharad Cooper Consultancy
EDN – European Dance Development Network
European Cultural Foundation
EJN Europe Jazz Network
Philanthropy Europe Association (Philea)
Centre for European Volunteering
REMA
Transparency International EU
CESES – Confederation of European Senior Expert Services
European Music Council
Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen
EASPD – European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities
Amateo
European Theatre Convention
RECLAIM
Lifelong Learning Platform
EAPN – European Anti-Poverty Network
The European Association of Independent Performing Arts
ACT (Against Conversion Therapy)
Philanthropy Europe Association (Philea)
#DiasporaVote!
EL*C – Eurocentralasian Lesbian* Community
IGLYO – International LGBTQI Youth and Student Organisation
European Prison Litigation Network
European Citizen Action Service (ECAS)
Eurochild
REScoop.eu
Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) Network
European Roma Grassroots Organizations (ERGO Network)
Human Rights Cities Network
PICUM
Equinox Initiative for Racial Justice
End FGM EU
ILGA-Europe
Volonteurope
Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe
EUCRTA
European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE)
EU DisinfoLab
Sustainable Communication
International Planned Parenthood Federation – European Network (IPPF EN)
Young European Federalists (JEF Europe)
ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy
Social Platform
TGEU
Organisation Intersex International Europe e.V. (OII Europe)
Civil Liberties Union for Europe

International Level

Democracy Reporting International (DRI)
WAN-IFRA World Association of News Publishers
Media Diversity Institute
International Media Support
International Center for Journalists
Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project
Hivos
SOLIDAR
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Inside Spaceman
Queer Club Culture Archive
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
Solidarity With OTHERS
Centre for Law and Democracy
International Movement All Together in Dignity – ATD Fourth World

Regional Level – Western Balkans

Heartefact

National Level

Albania
Partners Albania for Change and Development
Center for European Policy Studies on Regional and Local Development
Institute for Activism and Social Changes
ALTAX
Centre for Development and Democratization of Institutions

Armenia
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CENTER
Transparency International Anticorruption Center

Austria
IG Kultur Österreich
IG Freie Theaterarbeit
Poolbar Kultur gGmbH
Kulturplattform Oberösterreich – Cultural plattform Upper Austria
Bündnis für Gemeinnützigkeit – Civil Society Alliance Austria

Belgium
Asbl AgoraGrupont
Goethe-Institut Brüssel
Plateforme francophone du Volontariat
RABKO – Réseau des Arts à Bruxelles | Brussels Kunstenoverleg
INSAS Institut National Supérieur des Arts du Spectacles
Le 140

Bosnia & Herzegovina
Centre for Security Studies
Centar za promociju civilnog društva (CPCD)
Center for Investigative Reporting (CIN)

Bulgaria
Human right center „Vasil Levski” – Karlovo
Infinité Opportunities Association
INTEGRO ASSOCIATION
Ideas Factory association
Trust for Social Achievement Foundation”Community action group – Kotel” Association
Alzheimer Bulgaria Association
АСКО
Mediapool

Croatia
Croatian Platform for International Citizen Solidarity (CROSOL)
Gong
Clubture Network
SOLIDARNA Foundation
Lota’s Box
Human Rights House Zagreb
Centar za građanske inicijative Poreč
CESI- Center for Education, Counselling and Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Institut for Gastroenterological Tumors
Croatian Youth Network
Documenta – Center for Dealing with the Past
Forum for Freedom in Education
Trade union of Croatian journalists
Kolektiv Igralke
Fantastično dobra institucija – FADE IN
DKolektiv-organisation for social development
DZNAP – Društvo za zaštitu novinarskih autorskih prava, engl. Association for journalist copyright
protection
KONTEJNER I bureau of contemporary art praxis
Underground Society
Platforma Doma mladih
Plesna udruga Tiramola
KLFM – radio u zajednici
Hrvatski centar za razvoj volonterstva (Croatian Volunteer Development Centre)
ISKORAK
Centre for Peace Studies
Plesna udruga Tiramola
Kulturtreger
Knežević
Centre for Democracy and Law Miko Tripalo
ROOM 100 collective (Association for culture and sport Positive force)
Centre for peace, nonviolence and human rights-Osijek
Association SHIFT
Civil Rights Project Sisak (CRP Sisak)

Cyprus
Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS)
Birth Forward
ACCEPT LGBTI CYPRUS
Cyprus Family Planning Association
BirdLife Cyprus
Sports Vision Cyprus
Be an Ally Foundation
SocialTech Lab

Czechia
Prague Pride
PRAHO! project, z.s.
České Budějovice 2028 – European Capital of Culture
Asociace nezávislých divadel ČR (The Association of Independent Theatres of the Czech Republic)
NGO RomanoNet
Spiralis, z s.
Glopolis

Denmark
Nyt Europa
Global Focus
CISU – Civil Society in Development
Dreamtown
Nyt Europa (New Europe)
AIDS-Fondet

Estonia
Open Estonia Foundation
Network of Estonian Non-Profit Organisations

Finland
Union of Journalists in Finland
Central Organization for Finnish Culture and Arts Associations – KULTA ry

France
La Ligue de l’enseignement
Art Explora Foundation
CFI
Cap Magellan
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Point de Contact
FONDS POUR UNE PRESSE LIBRE
LDH (Ligue des droits de l’Homme)
Egyptian Human Rights Forum ( EHRF)
SOS homophobie

Germany
Democracy International
IGBK (Internationale Gesellschaft der Bildenden Künste e.V.)
Just Access e.V.
Civil Society Forum e. V.
Araminta

Greece
Culture for Change
Stergiani Tsiarvoula
SolidarityNow
Initiative for the Child (Πρωτοβουλία για το Παιδί)
Contemporary Social History Archives (ASKI)
UNION OF WOMEN ASSOCIATIONS OF HERAKLION
Cyclisis
DAFNI KEK
Melissa Network of Migrant Women in Greece

Hungary
Ökotárs-Hungarian Environmental Partnership Foundation
Emma Association
Clean Air Action Group
Energiaklub Climate Policy Institute
Power of Humanity Foundation (Emberség Erejével Alapítvány)
Partners Hungary Foundation
Hungarian Civil Liberties Union
Civil Közoktatási Platform
PILnet
Tanítanék Mozdalom / ‘I’d like to teach’ Movement
European House Budapest
Hungarian Helsinki Committee
Centre for Educators Association

Ireland
The Wheel
Volunteer Ireland
AMLÉ
Hope and Courage Collective
Black & Irish
Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre
DCU Institute for Media, Democracy, and Society
European Digital Media Observatory, Ireland
LGBT Ireland

Italy
European Movement Italy
Tia formazione aps
Fondazione Nuovo Teatro Verdi
Melting Pro
Associazione Culturale Materia Viva
Fondazione Trentina per il Volontariato Sociale
EPLI
CSVnet Ets
ARCI
Cittadini Reattivi ETS
società cooperativa Pot in Pot
Facta impresa sociale Srl
LIBERA ASSOCIAZIONI NOMI E NUMERI CONTRO LE MAFIE
Associazione per gli Studi Giuridici sull’Immigrazione – ASGI APS
InformaGiovani ETS – IGNet

Kosovo
Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF)

Latvia
Civic Alliance – Latvia
Donum Animus
DOTS Foundation for an Open Society
Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS)
Association „Papardes zieds”
Zero Waste Latvija
The Council of the Creative Unions of Latvia (CCUL)
NGO „Sievietēm 50+”

Lithuania
Future Society Institute
Christopher Festival (Kristupo festivalis)
Teatro sąjunga
KSU Tarptautinis universitetas
National NGO Coalition (Lithuania)
Lithuanian publishers association
Vilnius Film Festival KINO PAVASARIS
VšĮ „Telšių menų inkubatorius“
National Network of Education NGOs
NGO Seniors’ World
Kūrybinių technologijų akademija
Mokymosi namai Patirčių slėnis
the National Association of Creative and Cultural Industries (KIK Lithuania)
Digital Freedom
Association for the Advancement of Architectural Quality
Lithuanian Game Developers Association
Open Lithuania Foundation
Joniškis Municipality
Society and Enterprise Development Institute
Biržų Artrito klubas
Istornešiai / Story Smugglers
Staškūniškio kaimo draugija
„Diabetes IQ”
VšĮ „Garsiai ir aiškiai”
Šunys asistentai /Assistance Dogs Lithuania
VšĮ ASPEKTAI
Emocinės pagalbos ir konsultacijų centras
National Network of Education NGOs
VsI Raudonos plytos
VšĮ „Girių inspekcija”, NVO (Public Institution „Forest inspectorate”, NGO)
Roma Community Centre

Malta
MEIA
Blue Door Education
The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation
aditus foundation
Malta Council For the Voluntary Sector
Repubblika
St Jeanne Antide Foundation

Moldova
Center for Policies and Reforms (CPR)
Terra-1530

Montenegro
Civic Alliance
Centre for development of NGOs
NGO Prima
Ženska Akcija. Woman Action
NGO Democratic center of Bijelo Polje

Netherlands
RNW Media
Sjoerd Feitsma
Netherlands Helsinki Committee
Kunsten ’92
La Strada International
Justice & Peace Netherlands
Vereniging van fondsen in Nederland – FIN
SOFT tulip Foundation
Women Engage for a Common Future
European Center for Non for Profit Law (ECNL)

North Macedonia
Balkan Civil Society Development Network
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL-MACEDONIA
Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC)

Norway
Human Rights House Foundation
Freemuse

Poland
Society of Journalists (Warsaw)
Civic Initiative Association Pro Civium
Fundacja Wolności
Fundacja Czas Kobiet
Fundacja Wspomagania Wsi/Rural Develpment Foundation
„Our Ombudsman” Initiative, Poland
Green REV Institute
Fundacja Wymiany Kulturowej toTU toTAM/Foundation for the Cultural Exchange toTU toTAM
Patchwork, Association for Immigrant Families of Persons with Disabilities
Z. Raszewski Theatre Institute
National Centre for Culture Poland
Fundacja Reporterów
Kampania Przeciw Homofobii // Campiagn Against Homophobia
Fundacja Równość.org.pl / Równość.org.pl Foundation
CEE Digital Democracy Watch
Political Accountability Foundation
Institute of Public Affairs
Stowarzyszenie Lepsza Demokracja
Polish Robert Schuman Foundation
National Federation of Polish NGOs
Expedition Inside Culture Association
Fundacja Edukacja na NOWO
Stefan Batory Foundation
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
Fundacja ADHD
Stowarzyszenie Centrum Integracyjno Animacyjne
Fundacja Rodzima Ziemia
Fundacja Centrum Pozytywnych Zmian
Fundacja DAR LOSU
Stacja Praga, Psychotagi
Jednorożec robi co może
Ecological and Cultural Association SEED
Central European Organising Center / Fundacja Centrum Organzowania Związków Zawodowych
Stowarzyszenie W.A.R.K.A.
COZZ – Centrum Organizowania Zwiazkow Zawodowych COZZ
Ethnographic Laboratory Association/ Stowarzyszenie „Pracownia Etnograficzna” im. Witolda
Dynowskiego
Dom Sztuki
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
Hostelling International Warszawa
Federacja Mazowia / Mazovia Federation
Right to Protection
Association Support Office for the Movement of Social Initiatives BORIS
Pro Akademika Foundation
CEE Digital Democracy Watch

Portugal
Portuguese Platforma of Development NGOs
Pista Mágica
Academia Cidadã – Citizenship Academy
PDH – Plataforma de Direitos Humanos Portugal
4Change NGDO
Portuguese Center of Foundations
BETWEEN – PARTNERSHIPS 4 DEVELOPMENT

Romania
Militia Spirituala
Civic Radauti Association
Center for Public Innovation, Romania
Formare Culturală
Fagaras Country Community Foundation (Romania)
Buzau Community Foundation
Centre For Legal Resources
MASTERPEACE RO
Center for Public Innovation
Civil Society Development Foundation
Centrul FILIA
Fundația Centrul de Resurse pentru Comunitățile de Romi atile de Romi
MozaiQ LGBT Association
Átlátszó Erdély
Funky Citizens
Federation of NGOs for Children – FONPC
Four Change Association
Ateliere Fara Frontiere
Fundatia Agentia de Dezvoltare Comunitara „Impreuna”
Expert Forum (EFOR)
Asociația dexonline
Romanian Academic Society
Romanian Federation Of Community Foundations
Coalition of Organisation with Chronic Disease Romania
Caritas Romania Confederation
Fundația Comunitară Iași
Fundația Comunitară Buzău
ActiveWatch
Brașov Community Foundation
Asociatia Innovation Education Lab
Asociatia Copiii in Sanul Familiei
FONSS – Federația Organizațiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Servicii Sociale
Fundatia Comunitara Banatul Montan / Banat Mountains Community Foundation
Bucovina Institute Association
ACDC Association
CENRES (Centrul Regional de Resurse pentru Organizatii Neguvernamentale Suceava)
Necuvinte Association
Fundatia Centrul de Mediere si Securitate Comunitara
Romanian Women’s Lobby
FONSS – Federația Organizațiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Servicii Sociale
Asociatia „Afterhills”
Alternative Sociale Association
APASS
Asociatia Sprijinirea Integratii Sociale (ASIS)
Fundatia Inima de Copil
Asociatia Niciodata Singur – Prietenii Vârstnicilor
World Vision Romania
Organizația Suedeză pentru Ajutor Umanitar Individual
Emmaus Iasi Foundation
Context.ro
ADV Group
RISE Romania
PressOne
Asociatia Unic
Fundatia de Dezvoltare Locala Speranta
Asociatia Nevo Parudimos
Mures Community Foundation
Resource Center for Public Participation, CeRe
Context.ro
Asociatia Blijdorp Romania
Community Foundation from Odorheiu Secuiesc
Asociația INCUBATOR13
Estuar Foundation
Romanian Environmental Partnership Foundation
WHITE YELLOW CROSS ROMANIA
Anghel
The Society for Education on Contraception and Sexuality
Romanian Midwives Association
Fundatia Centrul Parteneriat pentru Egalitate – CPE
National Institute for Research and Development for potato and sugar beet Brasov
Society for Feminist Analyses AnA
ASOCIATIA OAMENI, VALORI, FAPTE
VULGAR
Asociatia Autism Voice
Asociatia HELP Autism
Organizatia Umanitara CONCORDIA
Asociatia Floarea Vietii D&L
Feminism Romania Association
Bună Ziua Copii din România
Asociația Inimi Laolaltă Pentru Copii
DAL CONSULTING SRL
Diaspora Solidarity Group
CIVICA Association
Fundatia Comunitara Timisoara
ROHEALTH – The Health and Bioeconomy Cluster

Serbia
Drama Artists’ Association of Serbia (UDUS)
Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization
Civic Initiatives
Pištaljka
European Policy Centre (CEP Belgrade)

Slovakia
Ekopolis Foundation
Platform for Democracy Slovakia
Carpathian Foundation Slovakia
Možnosť voľby (Freedom of choice)
Stop Corruption Foundation
Platforma dobrovoľníckych centier a organizácií
MEMO 98
Platforma dobrovoľníckych centier a organizácií
Iniciatíva Inakosť
AOPP Association for the Protection of Patients´ Rights
Open society Foundation Bratislava
Investigative center of Jan Kuciak
Roma advocacy and research centre
VIA IURIS
Saplinq, o.z.
Inklucentrum-Centre for inclusive education
inTYMYta
Antena – network for independent culture

Slovenia
Slovene Association of Journalists
Društvo za podporo civilne družbe
CNVOS
Local development foundation for Pomurje region, Slovenia
Društvo Asociacija
Projekt Atol
Mirovni Institut (Peace Institute, Ljubljana)
Slovene Philanthropy
Danes je nov dan
Zavod Krog
CNVOS

Spain
Asociacion cultural baizara
FUNDACION PLATONIQ
Producciones en la Arena
CONSORCIO CACERES ECOC 2031 ( candidate)
Conexiones improbables
Òmnium Cultural
Rosignoli
Irídia – Centre for the Defence of Human Rights
Fundación Hazloposible
Plàudite Teatre–Espai d’Arts Escèniques
Access Info Europe
Coordinadora Obrim Fronteres
Transparency International Spain
Irídia – Human Rights Defence Centre
BreGal Asociacion Sociocultural
Institute Novact of Nonviolence
eco-union
Fundación Maldita.es
Fundación Aspacia
ASOCIACION PRO DERECHOS HUMANOS DE ESPAÑA

Sweden
Swedish Union of Journalists
Cirkus Syd
The Artists’ Association of Sweden
Civil Rights Defenders

Turkey
Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS)
Bursa Culture Art and Tourism Foundation

United Kingdom
The Mighty Creatives

[PDF version: Joint Letter – Call to Support a Reinforced AgoraEU in the next MFF]