20 April 2026 | Open letter
What will define the credibility of EU enlargement in the years ahead? And will the next EU budget match political commitments with real support for civil society?
In an open letter to EU institutions, BCSDN calls for clear safeguards, participation, and dedicated funding for civil society in the 2028–2034 MFF, warning that enlargement will depend on how commitments translate into real support. While the EU Civil Society Strategy and European Democracy Shield signal stronger recognition of civil society, current proposals—marked by more consolidated instruments, reduced earmarking, and greater discretion at national level—risk weakening independent actors and accountability.
BCSDN calls on EU institutions to ensure the next MFF includes:
- Enlargement as a distinct and protected budgetary priority, with a clear enlargement envelope, dedicated civil society allocations, and preservation of an IPA-equivalent logic to ensure visibility and accountability
- Dedicated and fit-for-purpose funding for civil society, recognising advocacy, monitoring, watchdog, and participation roles, with ring-fenced allocations, core and operational support, regranting alongside direct access, and predictable multi-annual funding
- Participation, conditionality, and protection embedded in funding design, through structured civil society involvement, civic space indicators in (smart) conditionality—including redirecting funds in cases of backsliding—and clear responsibility for follow-up and accountability
The next MFF is a critical opportunity to align political commitments with financial instruments. Without safeguards and dedicated support, the EU risks weakening one of its key partners in safeguarding democracy. Enlargement is unlikely to succeed without resilient and independent civil society—civic space is a matter of European democratic integrity, credibility, and stability.
READ THE OPEN LETTER!
Curious to learn more about our work in the topic? Read more: