With civil society increasingly reliant on EU support as other funding sources contract, a European Policy Centre analysis examines whether the next Multiannual Financial Framework can deliver on the ambitions of the Democracy Shield and the EU Civil Society Strategy. Despite these new political commitments, the proposed MFF provides only a marginal increase in democracy funding, while reorganising existing instruments and creating uncertainty through limited earmarking. The paper highlights the severe pressure already facing CERV, where up to 92% of applications are rejected because of insufficient funding. It also identifies a broader shift towards digital threats, disinformation and foreign interference, warning that this defensive approach risks overlooking the need to rebuild democratic trust and resilience within Member States. The analysis calls for clearer funding architecture, stronger enforcement and complementary support from Member States and philanthropy. Read more here.
Source: European Policy Centre (EPC)