Welcome to the latest ECF Newsletter! In this edition: why the EU must invest in the proposed AgoraEU programme, how to make the Civil Society Strategy a success, and our joint statement on the European response to the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the...
Europe faces a number of crises and challenges from climate change to growing precarity and inequality, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the change in the USA's approach to global affairs. At the same time, trust in democratic institutions is in decline across...
Brussels, 16 October 2025 — A coalition of NGOs, including the European Civic Forum,[1] and the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) have condemned the violent response to peaceful protests in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Palestinian...
Alexandrina Najmowicz has stepped down as secretary general of the European Civic Forum after 17 years in the role. During her tenure, Alexandrina oversaw the dramatic expansion of the organisation from a young network with no permanent staff to a pillar of European...
In this edition of the ECF Newsletter, we bring you an important message from our secretary general, Alexandrina Najmowicz as she announces her departure from the European Civic Forum. Plus, we discuss how to make the Civil Society Strategy a success!
Yesterday, Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the importance of boosting democratic resilience and trust during her annual State of the Union speech in the European Parliament At ECF, we have always believed that a key pillar to resilient democracies is a strong,...
Welcome to ECF's summer newsletter. In this edition: why this is a crucial moment for civic space in Europe, and the latest from our events in the European Parliament and Warsaw. Plus: don't miss the Civil Society Strategy consultation!
On 4 June, the European Civic Forum (ECF) launched its annual flagship Civic Space Report at a cross-party event in the European Parliament on 4 June 2025. The event brought together 25 civil society organisation representatives and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) from...
On 17 June, the European Civic Forum hosted its annual policy debate, in cooperation with the National Federation of Polish NGOs (OFOP), and the Stefan Batory Foundation. The conference, which took place in Warsaw, was titled “Strengthening democracy and the Rule of...
On 17-18 June, ECF members and staff gathered in Warsaw for our Annual General Assembly. This year’s AGA was particularly special as in 2025, we are celebrating our 20th anniversary as a network. Back in late 2005, representatives of associations and NGOs from across...