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Europe experiencing “dangerous rollback of civic freedoms”, warns damning new report in “wake-up call” to EU leaders
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 campaigners targeted Government ministers in several states question international human rights law Europe is experiencing a dangerous rollback of civic freedoms,…...
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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…...
Okotars: Hungarian Parliament postpones vote on law against civil society
We won an important battle: the Hungarian Parliament postponed the vote on its law against independent civil society and media at least until autumn! This incredibly dark-age proposal is off the table...
La Ligue de l’enseignement: Lampedusa, Starting Point of the “Ways of Europe”
A highly symbolic location, Lampedusa embodies Europe’s contemporary challenges, particularly those related to migration and solidarity. It is therefore fitting that this place was chosen as the...
European Movement Italy: How and why Europe needs a constitutional path
The European Council of 27 June 2024 had invited the European Commission to present by spring 2025 an EU reform plan before the new accessions containing four operational pillars: The rule of law...
OFOP: From Warsaw to Europe: Investing in Civil Society, Safeguarding Democracy
Strengthening Internal Capacity: OFOP's Assembly and Sejm Conference On 16 June the Polish Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations (OFOP) co-hosted a pivotal conference in the Polish Parliament...
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...
Polish Civil EU presidency: strengthening democracy and the Rule of Law in Europe in the face of
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...
ECF celebrates 20th anniversary at general assembly in Warsaw
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...
EVENT: Strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Europe in the face of polycrises
Today, Europe is grappling with complex and interconnected crises, including climate change, growing economic precarity, and an increased sense of insecurity following the Russian…...