Europe-Central Africa Network
EurAc
The Europe Central-Africa Network (EurAc), created in 2003, serves as the umbrella organisation of over 30 non-governmental organisations and networks, working closely on the ground with civil society from the Great Lakes Region in Central Africa, and supporting their efforts in building a better future.
ID: 667380793074-03
Lobbying Activity
Response to EU Civil Society Strategy
4 Sept 2025
As a network of 31 civil society organisations, working for over 20 years towards sustainable peace and stability in the Great Lakes region, the Europe-Central Africa Network (EurAc) is highly concerned about the accelerating restrictions on civic space for CSOs and human rights defenders within the EU. We therefore welcome the European Commissions initiative to develop a new EU Civil Society Strategy, which shall help protect and facilitate the work of this crucial democratic actor. Civil society is an indispensable pillar of any democratic society that contributes to the protection of human rights, social cohesion, and gives voice to underrepresented communities who would otherwise remain marginalised in the political process. By holding institutions accountable, CSOs also contribute to building trust between citizens and decision-makers, thus reinforcing their legitimacy. Yet, despite their crucial role, CSOs are increasingly faced with obstacles in fulfilling their mandate. Advocacy, while being a legitimate and necessary instrument in any democratic society, is being increasingly seen by some decision-makers as a threat rather than a necessary contribution to their work. Access to EU institutions and decision-makers is becoming very restricted, leaving the non-governmental and not-for-profit sector with fewer opportunities to provide evidence-based input on urgent issues. This trend is dangerous as it undermines the quality and diversity of the democratic debate, leaving out local communities that often hold the solutions to resolving major crises. As a result, the EU is less prepared to offer sustainable solutions both internally and externally, and thus its leverage and credibility as a global actor are weakened. In addition, structural challenges threaten CSOs sustainability. Cuts to international cooperation budgets, combined with a lack of predictable and accessible EU funding for CSOs, are reducing our capacity to operate effectively. The growing administrative burden and limited funding available divert our resources away from substantive work. Therefore, the ECs initiative to develop a new strategy for CSOs is welcome and presents an opportunity to launch a long-term, sustainable dialogue with this crucial actor. Often, CSOs are constrained by insufficient time to consult with their local partners, unadapted formats, or overly technical procedures that limit the type and depth of evidence we can provide. For the strategy to be meaningful, civil society must be engaged as an equal partner at every stage, from design and implementation to monitoring and evaluation. Only through a transparent, inclusive, and well-resourced EU Civil Society Strategy can the EU ensure that CSOs remain able to contribute fully to the protection of fundamental rights, democracy, and peace, both at home and globally. In support of the ECs strategy, EurAc is pleased to share several recommendations, where the EU is encouraged to: - Establish regular and structured dialogue mechanisms between CSOs and EU institutions, including at the highest political level. - Develop concrete mechanisms to ensure that CSOs are systematically consulted on EU policies, particularly regarding human rights, democracy, and external action, and promote transparency by publishing consultation outcomes and highlighting the contributions by CSOs and their integration in practice. - Protect and increase EU budget lines for civil society and human rights, especially in the context of cuts to international cooperation aid and the next MFF negotiations. - Tailor consultation formats to be inclusive and allow all CSOs, including grassroots and community-based organisations, to provide meaningful input. - Ensure that the next Civil Society Strategy is developed through a transparent, inclusive, and long-term consultation process, not a one-off exercise.
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