Thirty European civil society networks, including BCSDN, have urged the Council of the European Union to strengthen, not reduce EU investment in democracy by increasing the AgoraEU budget and safeguarding funding for the CERV+ programme in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The joint letter warns that proposed budget cuts come as CSOs across Europe face shrinking civic space, restrictive legislation, judicial and administrative harassment, disinformation campaigns, and growing financial pressures that threaten their sustainability. The organisations emphasise that robust support for civil society is essential to protect fundamental rights, strengthen democratic resilience and enable meaningful citizen participation. They call on EU leaders to preserve a strong and predictable CERV+ budget, arguing that investing in democracy is not an expense, but a strategic investment in the EU’s security, stability and shared values. Find the letter here.
Source: European Civic Forum