Projects

The European Civic Forum regularly participates in transnational projects, which aim to foster participation, promote EU Fundamental Rights and providing a space for civic actors to gather and exchange. Over the years we have worked with multiple partners, member organisations, local and European institutions. Find out about our current projects below!

MACS – Monitoring Action for Civic Space

 

What is the project about?

Civic Space – the operating environment for civil society organisations and activists – faces many challenges inside the EU.

While several organisations do vital work to monitor and report on violations of civic space and share positive examples, there is no common methodology.

That’s why ECF has come together with partner organisations from across the EU to develop a common methodology for monitoring civic space – to consolidate and strengthen this work.

In addition, the MACS project will develop an early warning system through the Civic Space Watch platform – to alert the EU institutions on specific threats to civic space and recommend action to be taken.

Who are the project partners?

 

Lead partner

Other partners

How is it funded?

The project is funded by the European Union’s Citizens, Equalities, Rights and Values programme (CERV).

 

Net4Defenders

 

What is the project about?

 

Civil society and human rights defenders act as democratic antibodies when rights, democracy and the rule of law are under attack. For this, they need support and protection.

Through the Net4Defenders project, ECF and five civic organisations across Europe will work to:

  • build capacities of activists on the ground to monitor and respond to civic space restrictions and illiberal tendencies,
  • develop national protection hubs to provide support to civil society under attack,
  • advocate for a thriving civic space in the respective countries,

and more! Stay tuned for more information!

Who are the project partners?

 

Lead partner

Other partners

How is it funded?

The project is funded by the European Union’s Citizens, Equalities, Rights and Values programme (CERV).

 

Past projects

 

Art of Fundamental Rights and chARTer 

With the Art of Fundamental Rights collections, we aimed to raise awareness about our fundamental human rights through art, to spark discussions and debate, and to explore a new way of educating people about their rights.

The exhibitions  travelled across Europe – from Athens to Florence, Cologne to Copenhagen, and Brussels to Barcelona- and, on each occasion, they provoked new ideas and insights.

Who are the project partners?

 

Lead partner

Other partners

How is it funded?

The project is funded by the European Union’s Citizens, Equalities, Rights and Values programme (CERV).

 

Related news

European CSOs announce Early Warning System for civic space restrictions as part of the MACS project.

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 system is part of the Monitoring Action for Civic Space (MACS) project, co-funded by CERV.…...

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 trends and authoritarianism. Civil society across Europe has long advocated for mechanisms that detect and…...

Net4Defenders — Project partners advance work on civic space and protection of human rights defenders

Over the past few months, ECF has been enhancing the work on the protection of civil society and human rights defenders across Europe, including through the Net4Defenders project. As civic space continues to face growing challenges, strengthening advocacy, coordination, and support mechanisms is one of our key priorities. On 12 February, we organised a capacity…...

We are hiring: Communications and Projects Assistant

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R-EU Connected final event in Le Raincy high school

The R-EU-Connected project is a programme meant at educating students and teachers about European citizenship through artistic, playful and educational means. To mark the end of the project, the project leaders organised a dissemination event at the René Cassin high school in Le Raincy. With about 20 students, the project leaders, together with ECF Secretary…...

R-EUCONNECTED: project partners meet physically and online in Castiglione del Lago

The organisation Tempo Scelto, in collaboration with the Municipality of Castiglione del Lago and the University of Perugia, organised a meeting with expert in the field of European Union and European policies. Due to the Covid restrictions only 50 people attended the event. The Mayor of Castiglione and the President of the Union of Municipalities…...

‘Reclaim Our Civil Space! from local to European’ – New project in Central and Eastern Europe

The 3-year long project is implemented by European Civic Forum member Ökotárs and its sister foundations in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, as well as the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Civil Society Development Foundation (Romania), Youth Initiative for Human Rights (Serbia) and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and it was launched with an international…...

CONNECT EUROPE Final Event: 20 years of fundamental rights

On 26 May, on the anniversary of 2019 European elections, Connect Europe partners met online for the last event of the project to discuss with activists, NGOs as well as representatives of international organisations and MEPs on the importance of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Julie Roskilde from Nyt Europa opened the discussion reminding that, as…...

Citi-Rights – claim your rights

A vast gap exists between the rights guaranteed by the EU and the exercise of these rights. Unclear laws, disempowerment or fear of reprisal can prevent people from knowing and enjoying their rights. This reflection is shared not only by the European Civic Forum members, but also by many other European networks, such as European Alternatives. This…...