Welcome to the latest ECF Newsletter! As we head towards the end of the year, we're focusing on the new Civil Society Strategy, and why we need to move from words to action. Plus, a recap from our events in Barcelona, our latest advocacy letters, and more!

Benjamin Goodwin
European Commission publishes long-awaited Civil Society Strategy, in positive step forward
Brussels, 12 November 2025 — The European Commission has today published its Civil Society Strategy, which aims to support, protect, and empower civil society organisations and activists. The document, which civil society has long campaigned for, comes amid repeated...
Why the EU must invest in AgoraEU
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...
NEW BRIEFING: Strengthening democracy in times of crisis – Why the EU must invest in AgoraEU.
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...
Repression on protests in solidarity with Flotilla and Palestinian people: NGOs demand EU Council action
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 steps down as ECF Secretary General after 17 years
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...
A message from the Secretary General
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!
New Briefing: Towards a bold and meaningful Civil Society Strategy
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,...
Summer 2025: It’s time for concrete action on civic space
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!
ECF launches Civic Space Report 2025 at European Parliament policy roundtable
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...











