OpenLobby.EU
Explore

International Disability and Development Consortium

IDDC

The aim of IDDC is to promote inclusive development internationally, with a special focus on promoting the full effective enjoyment of human rights by all disabled people living in economically poor communities in lower and middleincome countries.

Lobbying Activity

Response to EU Civil Society Strategy

5 Sept 2025

The International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) is a network of diverse civil society organisations (CSOs) working together to promote disability inclusive development and humanitarian action with a special focus on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights by all persons with disabilities. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to this consultation on the future EU Civil Society Strategy. The EU and all its Member States have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which obliges them to ensure the meaningful involvement of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations (Article 4.3) and their equal participation in political and public life (Article 29). The CRPD must therefore serve as a foundational reference for the future EU Civil Society Strategy. CSOs, including organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), are indispensable partners in advancing democracy, human rights, and inclusion through international cooperation and sustainable development. They play a crucial role in democratic policy-making by providing evidence-based policy recommendations, amplifying marginalised voices, and engaging in constructive dialogue with policymakers. CSOs and OPDs also combat stigma, discrimination, and hate speech through awareness-raising and capacity-building, and deliver vital services to marginalised groups, including during crises. However, recent developments in the EU and globally - such as shrinking civic space, smear campaigns, administrative barriers, and funding restrictions - threaten the ability of CSOs and OPDs to fulfil their roles. The CRPD Committees 2025 Concluding Observations for the EU highlighted the need for new mechanisms for close consultation and active involvement of OPDs, as well as sufficient financial support to protect their independence. Building on our response to the consultation, here are IDDC recommendations for the future EU Civil Society Strategy: Ensure the systematic and meaningful involvement of CSOs and OPDs in all EU external action policy and programming processes, including Global Gateway, in line with the CRPD. Institutionalise meaningful, safe, and inclusive civil society engagement in EU external policies and programmes, international partnerships and human rights dialogues; integrate civic space protection clauses in international agreements. Promote enabling legal frameworks for civil society, and oppose foreign agent laws and surveillance measures. Systematically denounce attacks targeting civil society, and promote positive narratives about CSO impact. Establish alert and protection systems for CSOs and human rights defenders, especially for marginalised groups, fully inclusive of OPDs, within and outside the EU. Protect civil societys advocacy right and recognise CSO advocacy as a valid use of EU funds in both internal and external programmes (as long as it aligns with EU values); revoke the 2024 EC funding guidance. Publish in the EU directory the contact details of EC personnel and disability coordinators. Improve accessibility and transparency of EC public consultations. Establish mandatory civic space impact assessments for major EU internal and external policies in order to systematically address spillover effects on civic space in the EU or in partner countries. Invest in training on civil society dialogue, and disability rights and inclusion for EU staff and partners. Support the participation of CSOs, including OPDs, from partner countries in global fora. Ensure all EU funding processes are accessible to OPDs; offer technical support and develop dedicated funding streams for grassroots CSOs. Establish dedicated thematic envelopes for civil society, human rights and democracy in external action, and strengthen support to CSOs, including OPDs, in partner countries. Adopt flexible funding mechanisms to reach CSOs in challenging contexts.
Read full response

Meeting with Lora Borissova (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen), Renaud Savignat (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen) and

8 Oct 2021 · Africa-EU partnership

Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner) and European Disability Forum

5 Mar 2020 · Discussion on inclusive international partnerships

Meeting with Janez Lenarčič (Commissioner) and

6 Feb 2020 · The situation of persons with disabilities in the context of humanitarian aid and civil protection