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New report documents continued decline in civic freedoms across Europe, with Brussels playing an ever-greater role
Unfounded attacks on NGO funding growing in EU, national parliaments Civil society increasingly cast as “foreign agents” New anti-protest legislation proposed in 7 EU countries Civil society continued to come under attack in 2025, with EU policies now playing a key role, according to a leading European NGO. The report, written by the European Civic Forum…...
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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…...
Joint Letter: The EU weakens the rules that safeguard people and the environment
470 civil society, trade unions and public interest groups tell President von der Leyen, European Commissioners and EU Member States that our rights, planet, health and justice are not for sale ...
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...