Securing Europe’s civic space: Investing in democracy in the next MFF
Summary
As Europe navigates a period of significant geopolitical transformation and rising illiberalism around the world, the foundational principles of Europe’s liberal democratic societies face challenges from within and from without. Across the continent, civil society organisations (CSOs), including think tanks, have to withstand immense pressures ranging from growing funding constraints to increasingly hostile operating environments.
In recent months, clear political obstacles to safeguard civil society funding have emerged from within the European Parliament and the European Commission, as well as at the national level. Hostility towards independent CSOs is worsening thanks to the emboldening of political movements and organisations that are funded by governments who oppose a strong civil society. This trend has the potential to negatively influence upcoming negotiations about funding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which includes the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme.
Liza Saris is the Project Manager for Connecting Europe at the Transnationalisation programme at the European Policy Centre.
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