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Strengthening and shielding European democracy with the upcoming MFF

By 19. 5. 2025No Comments

To: President Ursula von der Leyen
Prime Minister Donald Tusk
President Roberta Metsola
3 April 2025, Brussels 

Open letter: Strengthening and shielding European democracy  with the upcoming MFF 

Eighty years ago, the defeat of Nazi fascism and the end of World War II gave rise to a vision of a  united Europe built on peace, democracy, equality, and the rule of law. The foundation of new  democratic states committed to social welfare and fundamental rights for all set the stage for  decades of unprecedented economic and social developments, and peace. This model, while not  perfect, gave hope to those in Europe still under authoritarian regimes and acted as the basis for  our common and shared security in the region. All along these decades, civil society has been a  driving force behind historical moments of democratic transformation. From the struggles for  democracy in Spain, Portugal, and Greece in the 1970s to movements like Solidarnosc in Poland  and Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia, civic actors have played a critical role in shaping a shared  European future. The lessons of these struggles remain deeply relevant today. 

As Europe grapples with complex and interconnected crises — including climate change, widening  economic precarity, and eroding trust in democratic institutions — the very fabric of our  democracies is at risk. Growing social divisions and declining trust in institutions leave societies  vulnerable to forces seeking to weaken democracy. These vulnerabilities create fertile ground for  external factors — like Putin’s Russia and the Trump administration — and internal forces seeking  to dismantle democratic principles, challenging the very notion that rights are universal. A  democracy that does not actively protect and advance equality and the wellbeing of all ceases to  be a democracy in the true sense of the word. 

In this context, the strength of our democracies vis a vis these challenges depend on a robust civil  society. Organised civil society has played a crucial role in responding to crises, from the COVID 19 pandemic to the displacement of Ukrainians fleeing war and the response to environmental  disasters. With few means and little direct power, they are often the first ones to arrive and the  last ones to leave where people are in need, and when democracy is under stress. Poland serves  as a recent example of how civil society played a critical role in restoring the rule of law and  democracy when they were undermined. 

Recognising the gravity of these challenges, you have made a firm commitment to “A free and  democratic Europe” and to support, empower, and protect civil society. We now ask that this vision  be fully reflected in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), including by  strengthening the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme financing as one of the  crucially needed tools of the European democracy shield, the Civil Society Strategy and the  European Equality Strategies. 

Four reasons to strengthen the CERV programme to defend democracy: 

  1. CERV is a key EU instrument to promote democracy, equality, and fundamental rights for  all.  

Since 2020, the CERV programme has been a lifeline for civic organisations’ interventions across  Europe, particularly through multiannual core funding and outreach to remoted areas via the  regranting scheme. It has led to tangible improvements in democratic participation, legal  protections for women, LGBTQI+ people, racialised groups, people with disabilities, children, older  persons, and survivors of violence. Yet, despite its impact, the CERV budget remains less than 0.2%  of the total MFF — providing wholly insufficient means given the scope of issues to be addressed in supporting the foundations of European democracy. 

  1. Increasing support to civil society means investing in democratic resilience. 

Despite its successes, CERV remains severely underfunded, leaving up to 92% of aligned initiatives  without financial support.12 A 2023 survey by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights  found that 75.4% of CSOs working on fundamental rights and democracy fear that funding  shortages threaten their work.3 The recent freeze on USAID contributions4 and the reinstatement  of the Global Gag Rule further highlights the urgent need for MFF discussions to decisively address  the funding needs for democracy resilience-building and human rights protection.  

  1. New challenges require new tools and expanded resources. 

Increased investment is crucial for advancing civic and democratic education and critical thinking,  fostering right-based narratives and policies, enabling multi-stakeholder collaborations, ensuring  broad-based democratic participation and providing essential support to human rights defenders  and civil society under attack. Furthermore, as equality in the access to fundamental rights is  increasingly attacked, there is a growing need of support for those who act to protect marginalised  and excluded groups, and gender equality, as well as to ensure their voices are heard in policy 

making. Addressing these challenges requires not only strong policy decisions but also the  necessary budgetary commitments for effective support. 

  1. Opponents of European democracy and fundamental rights — both within and beyond EU borders — are investing unprecedented resources to attack civil society and democracy.  

Authoritarian regimes and radicalised groups are using vast financial and technological means in  spreading disinformation, fuelling polarisation, and shaping anti-rights narratives and policies that  undermine dignity and fundamental rights — targeting in particular racialised groups, migrants,  refugees, women and LGBTI+ people. At the same time, from inside the political sphere, far-right  forces but also part of the representatives of mainstream parties are actively delegitimising and  attacking funding for democratic CSOs, including the CERV programme itself. By proactively  investing in robust support for democratic resilience, the EU can strengthen European democracy  and counteract those seeking to undermine it. 

4 Global Aid Freeze Tracker

Our call to action: make a historic commitment to democracy! 

To strengthen democracy and rights for all, we need to put our money where our mouth is. In  2020, the European Parliament and European Council played a key role in championing the CERV  by nearly tripling the CERV budget compared to the initial proposal by the European  Commission. Now the challenges are broader and greater — and so must be our collective  response from the European institutions and civic actors. Allocating 0.5% of the MFF to the CERV – as a stand-alone programme managed by the European Commission – would send a strong  signal about the EU’s commitment to defending democracy and would be an invaluable  investment in our shared future.  

This investment must be accompanied by:  

  • A strong and structural support for civil society and its participation in policymaking in all  relevant thematic programmes; 
  • Strategic dialogue among public institutions, philanthropy groups, and civil society on how  to meet the needs of civil society actors that defend fundamental rights; 
  • A robust legal and tax framework for financial tools that support the sustainable funding  of organised civil society, at the EU and national levels, including matching funds for the  CERV grants; 
  • A strong stance against attacks on CSOs and their funding in the EU. 

Europe’s democracy is only as strong as its commitment to equality and fundamental rights. If we  fail to protect and invest in those fighting for fundamental rights, social justice, and inclusion, in  coherence with the European treaty provisions, we risk undermining the very essence of  democracy itself. Now is the time to act decisively to ensure that democracy in Europe remains  not just a system of governance, but a true reflection of equality and dignity for all. 

Yours sincerely, 

European and international organisations 

  1. European Civic Forum 
  2. AGE Platform Europe 
  3. All Digital 
  4. Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) 
  5. Centre for European Volunteering  
  6. Civil Liberties Union for Europe 
  7. DYPALL Network 
  8. ENAR – European Network Against Racism 
  9. End Female Genital Mutilation European Network 
  10. EPA – European Parents’ Association 
  11. Eurochild 
  12. European Association for Local Democracy – ALDA 
  13. European Center for Not-for-Profit Law Stichting 
  14. EUROPEAN FEDERATION FOR INTERCULTURAL LEARNING 
  15. European Public Health Alliance 
  16. European Youth Forum 
  17. Fédération Européenne des Retraités et personnes Âgées (FERPA) 
  18. International Planned Parenthood Federation —European Network (IPPF EN)
  19. Lifelong Learning Platform – European Civil Society for Education 20. RECLAIM 
  20. Res Publica Foundation – Visegrad Insight 
  21. SOLIDAR 
  22. Transparency International EU 
  23. Union of European Federalists  
  24. Young European Federalists (JEF Europe) 
  25. The Good Lobby 

Austria 

  1. Bündnis für Gemeinnützigkeit – Civil Society Alliance Austria 28. Association of Austrian Autonomous Women’s Shelters 29. ECoD gemeinnützige GmbH / European Capital of Democracy 

Belgium 

  1. Pour la solidarité 
  2. Professional Women International Brussels 
  3. Stand Up for Europe 

Bosnia and Herzegovina 

  1. Centar za promociju civilnog drustva 
  2. Center for Civic Cooperation 

Bulgaria 

  1. Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation 
  2. Bulgarian center for not-for-profit law  
  3. European Institute Foundation 
  4. Infinite Opportunities Association  
  5. Sofia Platform Foundation  
  6. Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities 

Croatia 

  1. Croatian Platform for International Citizen Solidarity 42. Human Rights House Zagreb 
  2. CESI – Center for Education, Counselling and Research 44. Lota’s Box 

Czech Republic 

  1. Network for the Protection of Democracy 
  2. Glopolis 
  3. SPIRALIS 
  4. APLA Severní Cechy,z.s. 
  5. CeHuPo – Centrum Humanitární Pomoci, z.s.  
  6. Czech Women’s Lobby 
  7. FoRS – Czech Forum for Development Cooperation 
  8. Green Circle
  9. GUG.cz, z.s. 
  10. Jezevec z.s. 
  11. Karlovarsko pro demokracii 
  12. Kouči pro Vás z.s. 
  13. Letokruh z.u. 
  14. Lumpeco  
  15. Open society p.b.a.; Institute H21 
  16. Péče bez překáž ek, z. s. 
  17. Platform for social housing 
  18. Platforma pro občanská shromáž dění 
  19. Prague Pride z.s. 
  20. Spolek Epigram 
  21. Spolu na Sušicku, z.s. (Together in Sušicko, z.s.) 
  22. Středisko ekologické výchovy SEVER /Centre For Environmental Education SEVER 67. Transparency International Czech Republic 
  23. TUDYTAM, z.s. 
  24. Ukrajinska iniciativa jizni Moravy 

Denmark 

  1. Nyt Europa 
  2. Global Focus 
  3. Acter Global 
  4. Crossing Borders 
  5. Danish Family Planning Association 
  6. Mino Danmark 
  7. NOAH, Friends of the Earth Denmark 

Estonia 

  1. Estonian Human Rights Centre 
  2. Network of Estonian Non-Profit Organizations 

Finland 

  1. SOSTE Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health 

France 

  1. Le Mouvement associatif 
  2. LDH (Ligue des droits de l’Homme) 
  3. LIGUE DE L’ENSEIGNEMENT 
  4. Maison de l’Europe de Paris 
  5. Mouvement européen France-Vaucluse 
  6. VoxPublic 

Germany 

  1. Bundesnetzwerk Bürgerschaftliches Engagement 
  2. Maecenata Foundation 

Greece

  1. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation “EGTC Amphictyony” 89. Greek Forum of Refugees 
  2. Union of Women Association of Heraklion 

Hungary 

  1. Ökotars-Hungarian Environmental Partnership Foundation 
  2. ”I’d like to teach” Movement (Tanítanék Mozgalom) 
  3. Alternative Communities Association 
  4. Artemisszió Alapítvány 
  5. Autonomia Foundation 
  6. Civil Kozoktatasi Platform (CKP) 
  7. Dialogue for Communities Association 
  8. Emberség Erejével Alapítvány – Power of Humanity Foundation 99. EMMA Association 
  9. Energiaklub Climate Policy Institute 
  10. European House Budapest 
  11. Great Lakes and Wetlands Association 
  12. Háttér Society 
  13. Human Platform Association 
  14. Hungarian Civil Liberties Union 
  15. Hungarian Helsinki Committee 
  16. Hungarian Europe Society  
  17. Közélet Iskolája / The School of Public Life 
  18. Magyar Női Érdekérvényesítő Szövetség (Hungarian Women’s Lobby) 110. Motivation Educational Association 
  19. NIOK Alapítvány 
  20. PILnet 
  21. Power of Humanity Foundation (Emberség Erejével Alapítvány) 114. Szülői Hang 
  22. Uccu Roma Informal Education Foundation 

Ireland 

  1. Comhlámh 
  2. Irish Council for Civil Liberties 
  3. Redial Partnership CLG 
  4. The Wheel 

Italy 

  1. ARCI 
  2. European Movement Italy 
  3. Solidarietà e Cooperazione – CIPSI ETS 
  4. ANCI Lazio 
  5. Associazione ADL Zavidovici 
  6. Associazione Luciano Lama ODV 
  7. Biosphaera s.c.s. 
  8. Europiamo ETS 
  9. Federazione trentina della cooperazione 

Latvia

  1. Civic Alliance – Latvia 
  2. “Sievietēm 50+” 
  3. Ar pasaules pieredzi Latvijā 
  4. Donum Animus 
  5. Eiropas Kustība Latvijā / European Movement – Latvia 

Lithuania 

  1. Open Lithuania Foundation 
  2. Nemunėio Radviliškio bendruomenė 
  3. Alytaus krašto asmenųsu negalia draugija 
  4. Butrimoniųbendruomenės centras 
  5. Center for Equality Advancement 
  6. Gilės sodas NGO 
  7. House of Diversity education 
  8. Klausos negalios šeimų bendrija Aidas 
  9. Lietuvos agentūros “SOS vaikai” Panevėž io skyrius 
  10. Lietuvos triračiųsporto asociacija 
  11. Lithuanian frame Running sport association 
  12. Lithuanian Gay League 
  13. Lithuanian Young Falcon Union 
  14. LPF Atgaivos sala 
  15. Maž eikiųsutrikusios psichikos ž monių globos bendrija “Gyvenimo spalvos” 149. Neįgaliųjųsportininkųasociacija 
  16. NGO Education, Health and Social Innovation Center (Svietimo, sveikatos ir socialiniu inovaciju centras) 
  17. onkologiniu ligoniu asociacija Viltie kelias 
  18. Public Institution ’Eik’ Center 
  19. Senjorųpasaulis 
  20. Stebėk teises 
  21. TAURAGĖ WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT AND INFORMATION CENTER (TMUIC)  156. Telsiu kriziu centras 
  22. Village community “Berteškiai” 
  23. Visaginas University of the Third Age 
  24. VšĮ ,,Unikalus šokis” 
  25. VšĮ PabėgėliųTaryba 
  26. VšĮ Prirašytos rankos (Inscribed Hands) 
  27. VšĮ VAIKŲ LINIJA 

Netherlands 

  1. Hivos 
  2. Netherlands Helsinki Committee 

Poland 

  1. National Federation of Polish NGOs (OFOP)  
  2. Stefan Batory Foundation 
  3. Polish Robert Schuman Foundation  
  4. Atlas Nienawiści 
  5. Bridges of Perspectives Cooperative  
  6. Central Roma Council 
  7. Centrum Rozwoju Inicjatyw Społecznych CRIS 
  8. Coalition Living Earth 
  9. Committee for the Defence of Democracy 
  10. Equality Factory Association  
  11. Federacja Znaki Równości 
  12. Forests and Citizens Foundation 
  13. Foundation Humanity in Action Poland 
  14. Free Courts Foundation 
  15. Fundacja “Pro Aperte” 
  16. Fundacja Artonomia 
  17. Fundacja Czas Kobiet 
  18. Fundacja Diabeciaki 
  19. Fundacja Dom tam gdzie Ty  
  20. Fundacja Inicjatywa Dom Otwarty 
  21. Fundacja Interakcja 
  22. Fundacja Koper Pomaga Copernicus Group 
  23. Fundacja Kultura Liberalna 
  24. FUNDACJA MALINOWY GEST  
  25. Fundacja Matecznik 
  26. Fundacja NieOdkładalni 
  27. Fundacja Po Mojemu w Krakowie 
  28. Fundacja Równość.org.pl 
  29. Fundacja Rozwoju Demolracji Lokalnej im. Jerzego Regulskiego 194. Fundacja Transgresja 
  30. Fundacja W Stronę Dialogu (Foundation Towards Dialogue) 196. Fundacja Widzialne 
  31. Fundacja Wolności 
  32. Fundacja Wspomagania Wsi 
  33. Green REV Institute 
  34. Habitat for Humanity Poland 
  35. Homo Faber Association 
  36. Information Society Development Foundation  
  37. Inicjatywa “Nasz Rzecznik”/ “Our Ombudsman” Initiative 
  38. Institute for Sustainable Development Foundation 
  39. Institute for Sustainable Development Foundation 
  40. Jewish Association Czulent 
  41. Kampania Przeciw Homofobii / Campaign Against Homophobia 208. Klub Inteligencji Katolickiej (Club of Catholic Intelligentsia) 
  42. Love Does Not Exclude Association 
  43. Marsz Równości Bydgoszcz  
  44. Migration Consortium 
  45. Mind & Gravity Foundation 
  46. My, Rodzice (We The Parents) – stowarzyszenie matek, ojców i sojuszników osób  LGBTQIA 
  47. Nauka dla Przyrody (Science for Nature) 
  48. Neutral Language Council (Pronounce.page) 
  49. niebinarnosc.pl 
  50. Ocalenie Foundation 
  51. Open Republic Association against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia
  52. Panoptykon Foundation 
  53. Polish Association of the Deaf —Ł ódź Division 
  54. Polish Donors Forum 
  55. Polish Migration Forum Foundation 
  56. Polska Akcja Humanitarna 
  57. Polski Klub Ekologiczny Okręg Mazowiecki 
  58. Queerowy Maj 
  59. Queerpol Fondation 
  60. SOK Foundation (Fundacja Samodzielność od Kuchni) 
  61. Stowarzyszenie Egala 
  62. Stowarzyszenie Grupa Stonewall 
  63. Stowarzyszenie Inicjatywa Obywatelska Pro Civium 
  64. Stowarzyszenie Ł ódzkie Dziewuchy Dziewuchom 
  65. Stowarzyszenie Mudita 
  66. Stowarzyszenie na rzecz Dzieci i Dorosłych z Mózgowym Porażeniem Dziecięcym “ŻURAWINKA” 
  67. Stowarzyszenie na rzecz imigranckich rodzin osób z niepełnosprawnościami  “PATCHWORK” 
  68. Stowarzyszenie Tęczowe Opole 
  69. Stowarzyszenie Tęczówka / Tęczówka Association  
  70. The Association for “Our Ombudsman” Initiative 
  71. The KARTA Center Foundation 
  72. To Proste Foundation  
  73. Tychy Osiedle Q 
  74. Visegrad Insight 
  75. We are Together Association 
  76. Workshop for All Beings 
  77. Zielone Mazowsze 

Portugal 

  1. Academia Cidadã 

Romania 

  1. Fundația pentru Dezvoltarea Societății Civile 
  2. Apulum Forum Association 
  3. Asociatia eLiberare 
  4. Association for Social Integration and Environmental protection Feedback Brasov 250. Association of Ecotourism in Romania 
  5. Átlátszó Erdély 
  6. Brașov Community Foundation 
  7. Center for Public Innovation (Romania) 
  8. Center for the Study of Democracy 
  9. Centre for Legal Resources 
  10. Centrul pentru Studiul Comparat al Migrației 
  11. Civic Radauti Association 
  12. CIVICA Association  
  13. E-Romnja Association  
  14. Federația Organizațiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil – FONPC 261. Fundația Comunitară București
  15. Fundația Comunitară Buzău 
  16. Fundația Comunitară Cluj 
  17. Fundatia Comunitara Galati 
  18. Fundatia Comunitara Iasi 
  19. Fundatia Comunitara Oradea 
  20. Fundatia Comunitara Sibiu 
  21. Fundatia Comunitara Tara Fagarasului 
  22. Fundația Comunitară Timișoara/Timișoara Community Foundation 270. FUNDATIA COMUNITARA VALCEA (VALCEA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION)  271. Intercultural Institute Timisoara 
  23. Migrant Integration Center Brasov, Romania 
  24. Mioritics Association 
  25. MozaiQ LGBT Association 
  26. Mures Community Foundation 
  27. Novapolis Association – Center of Analysis and Initiatives for Development 277. Odorheiu Secuiesc Community Foundation 
  28. Organizația Umanitară CONCORDIA 
  29. Prahova Community Foundation  
  30. Resource Center for Roma Communities Foundation 
  31. Respiro Human Rights Research Centre 
  32. Romanian Federation Of Community Foundations 
  33. Save the Children Romania 
  34. Society for Feminist Analyses 
  35. The Ecotourism Association Tara Dornelor (AETD)  
  36. The Federation of Nongovernmental Organisations for Social Services-FONSS Slovakia 
  37. Centrum pre výskum etnicity a kultúry (Center for the research of ethnicity and  culture) 
  38. Ekopolis Foundation 
  39. Iniciatíva Inakosť 
  40. Kompromis – Kompromisszum 
  41. MEMO 98 
  42. Mož nosťvoľby/Freedom of Choice 
  43. Partners for Democratic Change Slovakia 
  44. People in Peril 
  45. Volunteer Center Banska Bystrica 

Slovenia 

  1. CNVOS – Centre for information service, co-operation and development of NGOs 297. ADRA Slovenjja 
  2. Alpe Adria Green, International organisation of protection of Environmental and  nature 
  3. Association Legebitra 
  4. Celiac Slovenija – društvo bolnikov s celiakijo (Celiac Slovenia – Celiac Disease  Patients Association) 
  5. Center za trajnostni razvoj podež elja Kranj 
  6. Danes je nov dan, Inštitut za druga vprašanja 
  7. Društvo prijateljev mladine občin Postojna in Pivka
  8. Društvo Svit Koper 
  9. Društvo za razvijanje prostovoljnega dela Novo mesto 
  10. Društvo za strpne odnose Eksena 
  11. Drž avljan D / Citizen D 
  12. Forum za enakopraven razvoj 
  13. Global Water Partnership Slovenia 
  14. Institute Meta’s list 
  15. Ljubljanska kolesarska mrež a 
  16. Local development foundation for Pomurje region 
  17. Maribor Cycling Network 
  18. Mesto ž ensk, Društvo za promocijo ž ensk v kulturi 
  19. Morigenos —Slovenian Marine Mammal Society 
  20. Muzej norosti, Trate 
  21. Planet to the 3rd Power, Institute for Interdisciplinary Sustainable Development 318. Slovene Philanthropy 
  22. Slovenian Third Age University 
  23. Transparency International Slovenia 
  24. VARNA POT zavod za pomoč ž rtvam prometnih nesreč, preventivo, vzgojo in  izobraž evanje 
  25. Zavod Aspira 
  26. Zavod Etnika 
  27. Zavod Igrivi svet 
  28. Zavod PIP 
  29. Zavod Radio Študent 
  30. Zavod ZON.si 
  31. Združ enje ONA VE 
  32. Zveza društev Mladinski center Postojna (Youth Center Postojna) Spain 
  33. NOVACT 
  34. ASOCIACION CULTURAL BAIZARA 
  35. Asociación Mundus – Un mundo a tus pies  
  36. Districte 11 – City to City 
  37. Fundación Platoniq 
  38. Irídia – Human Rights Defence Centre 

Candidate countries to the EU 

  1. Center for European Policy Studies on Regional and Local Development – Albania 337. Partners Albania for Change and Development – Albania 
  2. Urban Research Institute —Albania 
  3. Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) – Kosovo 
  4. Reproductive Health Training Center – Moldova 
  5. Macedonian Center for International Cooperation —North Macedonia 342. Civic Initiatives – Serbia 
  6. Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization – Serbia 
  7. Initiative for Development and Cooperation —Serbia 
  8. Association of Ukrainian Civic Initiatives – Ukraine 
  9. NGO LDAM – Local democracy agency of Mariupol – Ukraine

Ministries and local authorities 

  1. Roskovec Municipality (Albania) 
  2. City of Vimercate – COMUNE DI VIMERCATE (Italy) 
  3. RISORSE PER ROMA SPA/CITY OF ROME (Italy) 
  4. Ministry of Culture in Latvia 
  5. Cimișlia City Hall (Moldova) 
  6. Chernihiv City Council (Ukraine) 
  7. Odesa Rayon Council (Ukraine) 
  8. Slavutych Town Council (Ukraine) 
  9. The Executive Committee of Zelenodolsk City Council (Ukraine)

 

1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2024%3A456%3AFIN 

2 https://www.cerv.at/dam/jcr:dffbc544-1381-4b0f-a3a7-bb4f4560a473/CERV_Presentation_Results_2021-%202.pdf 3report-key-findings-fra-civic-space-consultation-covering-2023.pdf 

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