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European Center for Not-for-Profit Law Stichting

ECNL

The European Center for Not-for-Profit Law Stichting (ECNL) is an established leader on civil society law and policy.

Lobbying Activity

Response to EU Civil Society Strategy

16 Jul 2025

ECNL is submitting contribution to the EU Call for Evidence on the EU Civil Society Strategy, entitled "Meaningful Civil Society Strategy: Anchoring Civil Space at the Heart of Europe's Policy Architecture." The document addresses the critical juncture at which the EU currently finds itself. With democratic norms under pressure globally and civic space facing deliberate erosion within several Member States, we argue that the EU has both a responsibility and an opportunity to reclaim normative leadership by placing human rights, rule of law, and civic space at the core of its policy framework. Our contribution emphasizes that the Civil Society Strategy represents more than a sectoral policy initiativeit is a vital expression of Europe's commitment to democratic resilience and civic renewal. As the world's strongest supporter of civil society globally, the EU must demonstrate equal ambition in protecting and promoting civic space within its own borders. The document outlines how the Strategy can serve as a cornerstone for embedding democratic values across the EU's internal and external strategies, particularly within current frameworks such as the Democracy Shield and in light of the Commission's recent Rule of Law report findings. We believe this contribution offers constructive recommendations for ensuring the Civil Society Strategy becomes a meaningful instrument for strengthening European democracy at this critical moment.
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Meeting with Lucie Šestáková (Cabinet of Commissioner Jozef Síkela)

19 Feb 2025 · Discussing the future of civil society engagement and funding

Meeting with Birgit Sippel (Member of the European Parliament) and Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs and

19 Feb 2025 · Guidelines for banned AI use cases and the definition of AI (Staff-level)

Meeting with Maurits-Jan Prinz (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton) and Forum Civique Européen and Civil Liberties Union for Europe

20 Nov 2023 · AI Act

Meeting with Věra Jourová (Vice-President) and

6 Jul 2023 · Defence of Democracy

Meeting with Alexandra Geese (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and European Digital Rights and

27 Mar 2023 · Political advertising

Meeting with Maurits-Jan Prinz (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton)

20 Jan 2023 · Scope of the EU AI Act

Meeting with Lucrezia Busa (Cabinet of Commissioner Didier Reynders)

11 Jan 2023 · artificial intelligence

Meeting with Werner Stengg (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager)

15 Nov 2022 · Artificial Intelligence Act.

Meeting with Paul Tang (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur for opinion) and European Partnership for Democracy and

28 Jun 2022 · Event on Political Advertising Regulation (assistant participated)

Meeting with Kim Van Sparrentak (Member of the European Parliament)

24 Mar 2022 · AI Act