A new strategy to put civil society at the heart of democracy
Civil society is not a decorative element of democracy. It
is its beating heart. Yet, this essential infrastructure for a healthy,
functioning Europe is facing significant threats, including the persistent
shrinking of civic space. This paradox - where the most vital component of our
democracy is also one of the most challenged - has been a core concern for
years.
Today,
as President of the European Economic and Social Committee, I want to drive a
significant shift. This is only possible with the coalition of forces that
includes the Liaison Group but also EU institutions and our national
stakeholders. This is a core commitment for my mandate.
Last
month the European Commission announced the new Civil Society Strategy as part
of the broader Democracy Shield initiative . The Strategy is built on three
core objectives: enhancing meaningful engagement, ensuring a safe and enabling
civic space, and providing adequate financial support.
This
is a direct and long-awaited response to the warnings EESC has issued for years.
In recent months my collaboration with Commissioner McGrath on the Strategy has
also helped bare positive results. Our own-initiative opinion on the civil
society strategy and the Liaison Group reflection paper highlighted the
mismatch between the crucial role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the
insufficient support they receive. This isn't an abstract problem. It has real
consequences. Across Europe, CSOs are "overburdened and exhausted"
with staff working under "great stress, with enormous risks for their
mental health." This precarity leads to a "loss of valuable expertise
and commitment" just when we need it most.
This
new strategy solidifies and enhances the EESC's foundational role in European
civic dialogue. The document explicitly states that the strategy is designed to
"complement the institutional mechanisms that already exist, particularly
through the EESC." This is not just recognition, but a mandate for deeper
collaboration. The EESC's new, central role will include several concrete
actions including co-organising the annual summit for the new Civil Society
Platform.
These developments are a direct and powerful
validation of the vision outlined in my presidential work programme:
positioning civil society at the heart of Europe. By creating an
institutionalised, protected space for dialogue, this strategy helps build the
"Union of security" we have been working towards - a Union that
actively fights against the shrinking space of civil society and contributes to
the Democracy Shield. It gives us the tools to turn this vision into tangible
action and reinforces the principle that has guided our work from the
beginning.
The Committee in its entirety, including the Liaison Group, has
the responsibility to demonstrate why the EU is valuable to people,
communities, workers and businesses and to sound the alarm where necessary.
While internal discussions will continue to
shape the precise details of implementation, the direction is clear, promising,
and long-awaited. We are moving from acknowledgement to action, ensuring that
the structures of our Union reflect the fundamental importance of its citizens
and the organisations that represent them. It is now up to all of us to ensure that this momentum is not lost. Let us work together to drive these reforms forward and build a Union that truly centres its people.
News from the CSO members of the Liaison Group
News from the EESC
and European Citizens' Initiatives
