BCSDN joined over 500 organisations from across Europe’s cultural, media, and civil society sectors in calling for a substantial increase in funding for the AgoraEU programme within the EU’s next long-term budget (2028–2034). Supporting the European Parliament’s position, the coalition highlights that the current allocation—around 0.43% of the EU budget—is insufficient to address rising challenges, including geopolitical instability, inequality, declining trust in democratic institutions, and increasing attacks on civil society and fundamental rights. Cultural and media sectors continue to face oversubscription, precarious working conditions, and threats to artistic freedom, underscoring the need for stronger and more predictable support. For BCSDN, joining this initiative is a strategic step to ensure that Western Balkans and Türkiye civil society is not left outside European democratic protections. We believe that reinforcing AgoraEU is essential to sustain civil society, independent media, and democratic participation across the region. Read more here.
Source: BCSDN/ Civil Society Europe