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...
Today, Europe is grappling with complex and interconnected crises, including climate change, growing economic precarity, and an increased sense of insecurity following the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the recent developments in terms of foreign policy of the...
Rise of far-right accompanied by a deliberate strategy to delegitimise civil society, through smear campaigns, SLAPPs, and restrictive “foreign agents” legislation Right to protest increasingly under attack, with Palestine solidarity and environmental justice...
More than 70 NGOs have sounded the alarm over Italy’s new Security Decree, warning it poses a serious threat to democracy amid a systemic deterioration of the rule of law. In a letter[1] to Michael McGrath, the EU Commissioner responsible for democracy and the rule of...
Welcome to the latest ECF newsletter. In this edition: over 570 NGOs call for an end to the attacks on civil society, why we have developed an Early Warning and Alerts System, plus: stay tuned for our latest Civic Space Report!