Publications

The report showcases the challenges civil society faced throughout the year 2020, with a particular focus on how the public measures triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic affected civic space.

In the continuity of the recent developments about fundamental rights and civic space in Europe, this second number focuses on the Hungarian case and the raise of the concept of Illiberal Democracy, « labelled » by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

This fourth issue of Activizenship brings into the spotlight success stories of resistance against repression, political apathy, consumerism, exclusion, individualism and fragmentation.

To fuel debates in the public space, the ECF has recently published the first issue of a bi-annual journal of critical reflection on the social, cultural and economic paradigms affecting civil society in Europe and beyond: Activizenship.

Drawing on the experience of one year of Civic Space Watch, the new issue of Activizenship poses some burning questions. What are the new and old challenges of civil society in Europe? How is civil society changing? How is it pushing back against democratic backsliding?

The report was drafted in March 2021, with the support of ECF member organisations. Our contribution is organised into three sections.

The Citizen Rights toolkit has been produced by European Civic Forum and by European Alternatives as part of the Citi-rights Europe project.

This paper provides recommendations to European policy-makers towards creating an enabling environment for civil society all over Europe. It is based on the analysis of the challenges perceived by members and on evidence collected through Civic Space Watch, CIVICUS Monitor and the 2017 civic space report by Civil Society Europe.

After a year long reflection and consultation process, the EYCA presents its key proposals for the reinforcement and enhancement of active citizenship in Europe.

The good practice report presented here is intended for European decision-makers, based on the experience of INCLUDE. Its aim is to improve citizen participation in the European public debate.

Le rapport de bonnes pratiques présenté ici est destiné aux décideurs européens. Son objectif est d’améliorer la participation citoyenne dans le débat public européen.

This Manifesto is the fruit of a mature reflection during the toughest period of the crisis which swept across Europe, and out of which we are hardly stepping. Along with it, the belief in the ability of the European project to promote and secure collective well-being has been seriously fractured and undermined.

The European Civic Forum and its member organisations launched the campaign Make Europe Great for All in 2018. It contributed, in the run up to the European elections, to put democracy and civic participation at the core of the European debate engaging civic actors, institutions, media and political leaders at national and European level.