Today, we are launching the Early Warning and Alert System, aimed at systematising the collection of civic space developments, reporting on early signs of civic space deterioration, and calling on EU institutions to act before the situation further deteriorates. The...

Benjamin Goodwin
Webinar: Early Warning and Alert System as part of civic space protection in Europe
10 April at 11:00-12:30 CET Organised by ECF and ECNL within the MACS project Across Europe, civic space is under increasing pressure. Fundamental rights such as the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, and expression are being challenged by repressive...
Serbia repression: EU’s failure to act undermines trust in EU path, say NGOs in solidarity statement
Over 100 European NGOs have signed a statement expressing solidarity with the Serbian people and criticising the EU's response to the escalating repression of the anti-corruption movement. In the statement, coordinated by the European Civic Forum and the Balkan Civil...
February 2025: Is the Commission’s work programme really driven by democracy, solidarity and equality?
Welcome to the February edition of our newsletter. Inside, you will find our reaction to the European Commission's work programme, updates from our Net4Defenders project, information about last year's European Civic Micro-Grants, and more!
We are hiring: Civic Space Assistant (trainee)
We’re looking for a politically savvy, sociable and passionate person at the start of their career to support and contribute to our research and advocacy on civic space and democracy-related issues. Who we are European Civic Forum (ECF) is a pan-European...
We are hiring: Administrative and Financial Manager
Are you a professional in administrative and financial management, bilingual in French and English, and would like to put your skills to good use in an organisation working to defend civic space and civil liberties? Then this offer may be for you! Who we are...
January 2025: 20 years of ECF
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2025! In this edition: ECF celebrates its 20th anniversary, Civil Society Europe's statement on the NGO funding debate in the European Parliament and more from across our network!
As ECF celebrates its 20th anniversary, its mission is more important than ever
2025 will mark the 20th anniversary of ECF’s founding. In 2005, representatives from civil society organisations across the continent gathered at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg to set up a network of CSOs. Their aim was to address the gap between citizens and EU...
Civic Pride Month – Celebrating Civic Activism!
For several years, ECF has been running the Civic Pride campaign – turning our attention away from policymaking and institutional developments to those who keep our democracies running: civic activists. This year, we decided to launch the first-ever Civic Pride Month...
Repression of Palestine solidarity in Europe widespread, according to new briefing
The repression of solidarity with Palestine continues in Europe, with the use of excessive force, intimidation and censorship among the most common restrictions, according to a new briefing from the European Civic Forum (ECF). One year on from the Hamas attacks...