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Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona

ISGlobal

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal, is the fruit of an innovative alliance between the "la Caixa" Foundation, academic institutions and government bodies to contribute to the efforts undertaken by the international community to address the challenges in global health.

Lobbying Activity

Response to EU Civil Society Strategy

5 Sept 2025

ISGlobal welcomes the European Commissions initiative to reinforce the role of civil society in policymaking. Drawing on our policy brief From Preparedness to Competitiveness (2025, https://www.isglobal.org/documents/d/guest/65_from-preparedness-to-competitiveness) and previous experience and positioning, we stress that resilient and equitable EU policies require inclusive, sustained, and independent engagement of civil society. Key recommendations: 1. Recognise civil society as an essential policy actor Civil society is a cornerstone of democracy and a key partner in addressing global challenges such as health, climate, and digital transformation. CSOs must be recognised as co-creators of policies, not only consultees, with explicit protection of their independence and autonomy. 2. Guarantee financial and institutional support without restricting advocacy Civil society participation cannot be sustained without predictable and adequate funding. EU programmes such as Horizon Europe, LIFE, and EU4Health must explicitly allow the financing of advocacy, watchdog, and policy engagement activities. Any attempt to restrict or delegitimise these functions undermines democracy and weakens EU policymaking. 3. Safeguard civic space and strengthen participation mechanisms The Strategy should commit to protecting civic space from political or governmental interference, while creating formalised participatory structuresadvisory boards, thematic roundtables, and co-designed dialoguesthat embed CSOs throughout the policy cycle. 4. Promote evidence-informed engagement and trust Civil society organisations help translate scientific knowledge into equitable, actionable policies. By strengthening these bridges between science, policy, and citizens, the EU can enhance legitimacy, accountability, and public trust in its institutions. Conclusion Civil societys independence and its ability to engage in advocacy are not optional: they are indispensable for resilient, democratic, and effective policymaking. The EU Civil Society Strategy must guarantee this role, ensuring that CSOs remain empowered to defend European values and contribute to shaping the Unions global leadership.
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Meeting with Tilly Metz (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Nov 2024 · Global health