For press enquiries, please contact Benjamin Goodwin: bgoodwin[at]civic-forum.eu
ECF in the news
Some highlights of coverage of our work in the international media.
EU Commission wants registry for foreign lobbyists
'The plan will be “deeply harmful to democracy and will fail in its stated intention of exposing covert foreign interference in EU policymaking,” said Alexandrina Najmowicz, secretary general of the European Civic Forum, an umbrella organization of NGOs and associations.'
We all lose if the Olympic surveillance state becomes the norm
'A gaggle of human rights groups – including Amnesty International, the European Civic Forum and Human Rights Watch – blasted the law, writing in Le Monde that it was “a worrying precedent,”'
Repression of pro-Palestine movements in Europe: the rule of law threatened, alerts European NGO
'The NGO estimates that at least 12 EU member states have taken disproportionate measures, including banning protests...'
20 international organisations call on the State to drop terrorism charges against Democratic Tsunami
'In a statement, they denounce that research limits fundamental rights and generates a "deterrent" effect on civil society. The text has been promoted by the European Civic Forum (ECF) and has the support of Amnesty International...'
The future of Europe: EU citizens take centre stage
'The EU is coming to the end of a major experiment in public debate: the Conference on the Future of Europe, ... What – if anything – has the conference achieved? Will true change come about? We discuss this with three guests who took part in the Conference itself.'
Pro-Palestine protests - between anti-Semitism and state repression
'Back in April, the NGO association European Civic Forum criticised in a report that numerous European countries had applied disproportionate repressive measures to pro-Palestinian protests.'
EU citizens’ panels likely to stay, but need to be adapted, experts say
'EU citizens' panels introduced after the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) mean deliberative democracy experiments will continue at the EU level, but they need to better adapt to citizens’ expectations and become more inclusive, experts say.'
Press releases
PRESS RELEASE: European Commission adopts problematic foreign funding directive, ignoring civil society warnings
Despite widespread concerns expressed by the European Civic Forum and hundreds of civil society organisations (CSOs) in consultations, meetings and letters, the European Commission has proposed a foreign funding directive as part of its Defence of Democracy package. The directive will create a register of entities that carry out “interest representation services” or activities on…...
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Join us for Civic Pride 2023: Celebrating everyday heroes of Human Rights!
At the core of our societies lie individuals and groups dedicated to ensuring that every person, regardless of circumstance, enjoys their fundamental human rights. We recognise and value the millions of actors, both formal and informal, who labour tirelessly for the effective access to rights for all. The term "Civil Society” encapsulates a diverse range…...
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Announcing the winners of the 2023 Civic Pride Awards!
The European Civic Forum has announced the winners of its 2023 Civic Pride Awards! The awards recognise the inspiring work of civil society organisations and movements...
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EDITO: Fighting for democratic empowerment and resilience
Civil society is a cornerstone of democracy. But across the EU, NGOs are under pressure. In our Civic Space Report 2023, we explain why to create resilient democracies, we must empower civil society...
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L’UNION DES SANS-PAPIERS RECEIVES CIVIC PRIDE AWARD FROM EUROPEAN CIVIC FORUM
PRESS RELEASE - 13 July 2021 L’UNION DES SANS-PAPIERS RECEIVES CIVIC PRIDE AWARD FROM EUROPEAN CIVIC FORUM Version française Around 500 undocumented people have occupied the Beguinage church and sites at ULB and VUB Brussels universities for over 5 months. Over 430 undocumented people have been on hunger strike since 23 May 2021. Despite…...
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French Separatism Bill threatens fundamental freedoms, warn civil society organisations
8 June 2021 IMMEDIATE RELEASE French Separatism Bill threatens fundamental freedoms, warn civil society organisations The proposed French "separatism" bill («Projet de loi confortant le respect des principes de la République») could threaten rights and civil liberties, according to French and European civil society organisations including CIVICUS, the European Civic Forum…...
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