iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

🚨 600+ say it clear: reject the budget cuts to AgoraEU, Invest in European Citizens’ Future! Read the full article here: bit.ly/4ygPlnB #EUCivilSociety #AgoraEU

Image with the logos of Civil Society Europe and Co-funded by the European Union with the following text: 500+ organisations say it clear: Defend AgoraEU, Invest in European Citizens' Future. Stronger, more resilient communities are the backbone of a functioning democracy and cohesive society. Read the letter through the link in the post.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

💭 We continue highlighting the power of many. This week, we hear from Maria Groenewald, Director of VOICE. Learn more about our ‘Voices of Millions campaign’ here: bit.ly/4tqscgh #VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Image of speaker Maria Groenewald with quote in front that says "I know the value of a strong voice at Brussels' level. Alone, we might go faster, but together, we go further."

VOICE is the largest European humanitarian NGO network promoting effective humanitarian action worldwide.

Our 94 members are active in sectors like food and nutrition, health, water and sanitation, and shelter in countries affected by natural disasters, armed conflicts and emergency situations. We bring these organisations expertise into European humanitarian policymaking.

Humanitarian challenges do not stop at national borders, so neither should our advocacy. VOICE was created to provide humanitarian NGOs with a collective voice in discussions with the European Union and enable national organisations to influence EU humanitarian policy.

Having previously worked for two VOICE members, I know the value of a strong voice at Brussels’ level from a members’ perspective. Alone, we might go faster, but together, we go further.

With our members, we recently contributed to the EU’s Joint Communication on Humanitarian Aid. We called on the EU to maintain its lead in the global humanitarian landscape, strengthen its approach to humanitarian action, and reaffirm its commitment to international humanitarian law.

Another example of our work with members is our ‘Humanitarian Action Works’ campaign, showing the real impact of humanitarian assistance through stories from affected communities.

When we see a record number of people living in humanitarian crises, the collective engagement as European humanitarian civil society is more needed than ever. Why? We remind the EU that we care, we demonstrate European solidarity, we respond when disasters hit, like in Venezuela or in Nepal, principled and jointly with our local and national partners.

Without VOICE, our members would have far fewer opportunities to bring humanitarian experience into European policymaking. The humanitarian community would lose a strong collective civil society voice, at a time when more people than ever are living in humanitarian crises.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

❓ What are the challenges and opportunities for civil society in the EU in the next 10 years? Find this out and more at our upcoming 10th anniversary event! Register: bit.ly/4ANveAf and see the programme: bit.ly/4hk9MLv #EUCivilSociety #10thAnniversary

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

📢 One week to register! Join us to the webinar “Match made in Heaven: Connecting national civil society organisations to advocate for the MFF”, organised by Civil Society Europe and REScoop.eu on October 20th. Link to register: bit.ly/4AAOD73 #EUCivilSociety

Image with the following text: Civil society europe, rescoop.eu. Webinar Match made in Heaven: Connecting national civil society organisations to advocate for the MFF. Online (registration via Zoom). Tuesday October 20. 10:00 - 12:00 CET. Co-funded by the European Union. This Project has been supported by Civitates, a collaborative initiative of the Network of European Fundations (NEF)

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

🫂 Welcome ENCC! We are delighted to announce that the European Network of Cultural Centres (ENCC) has joined our network. Visit ENCC’s website to learn more about them: encc.eu #EUCivilSociety

A photo taken by Vukašin Živaljević for ENCC shows a group of people talking. It is accompanied by the logos of Civil Society Europe, The European Network of Cultural Centres (ENCC), Co-funded by European Union, and the following text: Welcome ENCC. Civil Society Europe is pleased to welcome The European Network of Cultural Centres (ENCC) to our network!

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

🤝Join us on November 17th to celebrate our 10th anniversary at our event, ‘Civil Society at the Heart of Europe: Celebrating 10 Years of Impact’ Register by November 9th: bit.ly/4ANveAf and explore the programme: bit.ly/4hk9MLv #EUCivilSociety #10thAnniversary

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

📄 Civil Society Europe has drafted the Action Plan on Civil Dialogue, which suggests concrete proposals for the application of the 10 guiding principles on civil dialogue set out in the EU Civil Society Strategy. Read more here: bit.ly/4z9AiwZ #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

We invite you to the webinar “Match made in Heaven: Connecting national civil society organisations to advocate for the MFF”, organised by Civil Society Europe and REScoop.eu. #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

💭 We continue to put a spotlight on stories of positive impact from civil society. This week, we hear from Eleni Karaoli, Chairperson of the Cyprus Anti-Poverty Network. Learn more about our ‘Voices of Millions campaign’ here: bit.ly/4tqscgh #VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Cyprus Anti-Poverty Network represents over 15 civil society and non-profit groups in Cyprus. We work towards reducing poverty and promoting social inclusion for vulnerable groups. Our goal is systemic change so everyone can live with dignity and equal opportunity.

We were established to represent Cypriot civil society within the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN). Joining the EU network gave us access to expertise, evidence-based policy tools, and coordinated advocacy at EU level. This connection amplified our voice with national authorities and allowed shared strategies and best practices to be adapted in Cyprus.

A major achievement was contributing to the development of the national Guarantee Minimum Income (GMI). EAPN provided expertise, policy papers, and arguments that helped shape our national advocacy and submissions to authorities. As a result, the GMI now supports people in real need. Without benefits, poverty in Cyprus would be about 34%, whereas with benefits it falls to around 17%. Another result is progress on a required minimum wage for certain low-paid jobs, which helps prevent exploitation and raises basic income.

As we’re led by volunteers, we rely on the research, policy papers, training, and advocacy tools produced by EAPN. These resources allow us to produce informed positions and run targeted campaigns on themes like women’s poverty, energy poverty, and in-work poverty.

Working together also helps us respond collectively to directives, regulations, and strategies at EU level (e.g., EU Anti-Poverty Strategy).

Without EU networks, we would lose access to these crucial tools. National advocacy would be less informed about EU processes, weakening our influence. Society would face fragmented efforts, which would lead to less progress on poverty reduction.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

📬Our September 2026 newsletter is out! Read here: bit.ly/4rwvMpD #EUCivilSociety #Newsletter

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

🔔We invite you to the webinar “𝑺𝑳𝑨𝑷𝑷𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉 𝑨𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝑹𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑬𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆”, organised by the European Women's Lobby. Our Director Carlotta Besozzi, will be part of the panel “Cost of resistance” at 13:00. #EUCivilSociety

Image of Civil Society Europe’s Director Carlotta Besozzi accompanied by the following texts:
24 September. Live Webinar. Standing up for rights should never be a crime! SLAPPs and the Backlash Against Human Rights in Europe.
Meet the speaker. “Civil society organisations have to counter (increased) legal action, disproportionate transparency requirements, smear campaigns diverting them from their key mission to act for the public good”, Carlotta Besozzi, Director Civil Society Europe (CSE).

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

✨ Last Thursday, we held our networking event for CSE Member Directors. We thank all attendees for this successful evening! Exchanges like this are always a good opportunity to discuss different experiences and strengthen our community. #EUCivilSociety

CSE’s president Gabriella Civico talking with two other attendees while enjoying the appetizers

European Disability Forum’s director Catherine Naughton with various attendees

SOLIDAR+’s director Elisa Gambardella with various attendees

CSE board members Judit Lantai and Ivana Davidovska discussing during the event

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

📢 Deadline extended! There's still time to register for our conference exploring how quality management can be a tool for resilience, participation and organisational learning Register: bit.ly/4uVehjU Draft agenda: bit.ly/4dRltaL #EUCivilSociety #CoQuality

Graphic which says 'Civil Society Co-designing Quality: Building Resilience in a Challenging Environment

A European conference on quality, learning, participation and resilience in the third sector

Register by September 25'

The coquality and Spanish ministry logos are in the bottom right corner

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

We need to work together for change. This week, we hear from Valeria Emmi at CESVI as part of ‘The Power of Many’ series from our ‘Voices of Millions’ campaign! Learn more: bit.ly/4svMm7X #VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Picture in a circle of speaker Valeria Emmi with quotation underneath, which ways "If CESVI were not part of an EU network, its ability to influence policy and amplify its impact would be significantly reduced."

CESVI is an independent, Italian not-for-profit organisation supporting people affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters.

Our mission is to turn social justice into action by empowering communities —especially women, children and marginalised groups— to achieve autonomy and dignity, while addressing the root causes of crises and strengthening sustainable, locally driven development.

But to create lasting change, we need to work together. This is why CESVI is a member of Alliance2015, working alongside like-minded NGOs to heighten our impact. Together, we recognise that strong, inclusive policies must be based on evidence.

Alliance2015 plays a pivotal role in shaping EU food security and humanitarian action by providing evidence for advocacy tools like the Global Hunger Index. Through this, we aim to encourage EU decision-makers to create more resilient food systems that can respond effectively to hunger and longer crises.

This is reflected in stronger humanitarian aid programmes that include local leadership and a more integrated approach to such challenges.

For people affected by crisis and food insecurity, this translates into more effective support systems: better access to nutritious food, greater resilience to shocks, and assistance that reaches those who need it most.

To achieve change at national level, CESVI connects EU commitments with practical action through Alliance2015, strengthening cooperation programmes.

Without this partnership, CESVI’s ability to influence policy would be significantly reduced, with less access to shared evidence, advocacy platforms, and strategic policy dialogue.

For society, this would mean less effective humanitarian and development action overall. Policies would risk becoming more fragmented, less evidence-driven, and less responsive to crises like hunger, climate shocks, and forced displacement.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

🎤 The Commission President will soon reflect on Europe in their ‘State of the Union’ address. Here are some key takeaways from our 2025 ‘Civil Society State of the Union’ report as we get ready for this year’s speech. Read more 👇 and here: bit.ly/4ys20Vm #CSSOTEU #StateOfTheUnion

The state of the union speech is almost here. From security and defence to social media, AI, and the climate crisis - Europe can’t afford to stand still.

Read our top recommendations from our ‘Civil Society State of the Union’ 2025 report

We must think of defence as more than just military investment. Healthcare, energy, food safety, water resilience, and inclusive social and educational policies cannot be pushed to the side. The EU has a real opportunity to be a beacon of peace, freedom and democracy in times of global upheaval.

This summer, every citizen across our continent felt the real impacts of climate change. As heatwaves tore across Europe, ordinary people were the ones to bear the consequences. The EU long-term budget must prioritise environmental protection through adequate funding, and implement policies that align with our climate targets.

Europe must take the lead on the digital transformation. Social media platforms should be regulated to prevent the spread of disinformation and protect the most vulnerable. AI must be regulated properly, specifically on its use in the workplace, to protect workers and ensure this technology is being used to address real societal challenges.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

🛡️ The Democracy Shield is an opportunity for the EU to safeguard its democratic foundations. Our new paper provides ways to implement the different initiatives under the Shield. Read more: bit.ly/4zKsGSW #EUCivilSociety #DemocracyShield

The European Centre for Democratic Resilience must live up to its name.

We support the goal of a Centre that is a focal coordination point for different aspects of the Democracy Shield. Interference against democratic institutions must be dealt with by supporting independent institutions, fact-checking, and institutional and civic electoral resilience.

We must protect the media and information space.

The Commission and Parliament have underlined the importance of implementing the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as the AI Act.

We support the thorough application of these acts. There must be no attempt to water down these digital protections.

Democracy must be supported by a vibrant civil society and sufficient funding.

The shield overlooks civil society’s role in boosting resilience: from civil protection to tackling climate change, civil society responds to a wide range of societal challenges.

Democracy must also be supported through sufficient funding in the EU’s long-term budget. A strong AgoraEU programme is needed to uphold the shield’s goals.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

🎥 Are you a skilled videographer? Then we want to hear from you! Learn more here: bit.ly/4xKaqaM and apply by September 22nd. #EUCivilSociety #Videographer #VoicesOfMillions

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

There's still time for your organisation to participate in the Civil Society State of the Union 2027! Register for participation here by September 13th: tinyurl.com/bdhyme7t #EUCivilSociety #CSSOTEU #StateOfTheUnion

Purple background with phones hanging in front with text in front that says 'Call for participation: civil society state of the union 2027 - does your organisation want to contribute? Register through the link in caption!'

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

🐾 Improving the lives of millions of animals should be a priority. Today, ‘The Power of Many’ brings a story from David Garrahy, External Affairs Manager at World Animal Protection. Learn more here: bit.ly/4tqscgh #VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

World Animal Protection is a global organisation that wants to mobilise the world for animal wellbeing. We are dedicated to ending cruel factory farming and stopping the commercial exploitation of wild animals.

We do not operate alone, but are part of the wider EU network Eurogroup for Animals. We decided to join this network because working together with allies amplifies impact and can produce real change for billions of animals.

We have already seen steps towards the legal protection of animals that have been pushed by organisations like ours, facilitated by belonging to an EU network. For instance, working together with nearly 100 partners across Europe, we pushed a campaign forward to support the European Citizens’ Initiative “End the Cage Age”. In reply to the initiative, the European Commission set out plans for a legislative proposal to end the use of cages in farming.

This is a huge move forward for animal welfare, something that will make the treatment of animals more humane in the coming years.

The existence of EU networks clearly helps us carry out our mission at national levels. Our offices in Thailand, Brazil and China often engage with these networks for inspiration and guidance regarding upcoming developments in animal welfare.

In a scenario in which EU networks did not exist, our work would be much more difficult. Our ability to carry out campaigns to improve the lives of animals would be fragmented and society would be clearly negatively affected.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

How can civil society strengthen resilience, learning & accountability beyond compliance? Join the CoQuality conference exploring quality management for Europe’s third sector. 📅 14 October 2026 📍 KBR Brussels ⏰ Register by 14 September 2026: bit.ly/4uVehjU #EUCivilSociety #CoQuality

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Our latest newsletter is out! Read now: bit.ly/4hXZkKe #EUCivilSociety #Newsletter

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

⏲️ There's only 1 week left to apply to be our Events & Administration Officer! 👉 Deadline for applications is 31 August at 23:59. Read more and apply now: bit.ly/4pM6u65 #EUCivilSociety #Hiring

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

⏰ Apply now to join CSE’s team as Communications Assistant (internship)! Read more here and apply by Sunday 9th August: bit.ly/4wkndA2 #EUCivilSociety #Hiring

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Reposted by Civil Society Europe

European Partnership for Democracy @epd.eu · 29/07/2026

💫 A new buzzword is about to crowd your feeds: the Stakeholder Platform of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience - one of the key components of the #EuropeanDemocracyShield. 🧵

There's a new Stakeholder Platform in the making

How should it be shaped? And how can civil society contribute?

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

📢 We’re hiring for 2 open positions - find out more below and apply now! Events & Admin Officer (Part-time): bit.ly/4pM6u65 Communications Assistant (Internship): bit.ly/4wkndA2 #EUCivilSociety #Hiring

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

🧑‍🏫Yesterday, we held a workshop for communications professionals on how to craft engaging narratives for civil society. Thank you to Seden Anlar for her expertise, and to all the participants who made the session so engaging! #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

🫂 Welcome FEANTSA! We are very pleased to announce that the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) has joined our network! Visit FEANTSA’s website to learn about their mission: www.feantsa.org #EUCivilSociety

Announcement welcoming FEANTSA into the Civil Society Europe network, showing both organizations' logos in top left corner. Black and white photo of hands joining in top right corner. Text that says "Welcome FEANTSA. Civil Society Europe is pleased to welcomed the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) to our network"!

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

🎉 We’re hiring a communications assistant (internship) - find out more below and apply now! Apply by 9 August 2026 at 23:59: bit.ly/4wkndA2 #EUCivilSociety #Hiring

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

⚖️ Only advocacy that remains close to people can be fair and sustainable. Today, we hear from Jan Bazyl, director of Grupa Zagranica, as part of ‘The Power of Many’ series. Learn more about CSE’s ‘Voices of Millions’ campaign here: bit.ly/4tqscgh #VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Read Jan's story: Grupa Zagranica gathers 62 Polish civil society organisations working in humanitarian aid, international cooperation and global education. Our mission is to boost public knowledge about global challenges and monitor Polish international cooperation. We act as a representative voice for the sector, making sure that aid is about actual impact.

We act by listening. Our secretariat is like a “helpdesk” for members that connects them with partners. Since our members work on the front lines, their priorities become our priorities and shape our advocacy.

We gather their expertise and channel it to decision-makers in Warsaw and Brussels. It is a way to ensure that policies reflect real needs.

With time, this has led to tangible changes. Grupa Zagranica helped shape Poland’s 2011 Development Cooperation Act, the first legal framework for Polish aid, ensuring that resources are used effectively on the ground. We also influenced national school curricula, so that young people grow up with a better understanding of issues such as climate change or migration.

Through the recent EU Presidency Project, we’ve supported small local organisations to bring topics like climate justice and decolonial education to their communities. This way, we have managed to spark broader public conversations.

Since most Polish organisations are small, being part of an EU network like CONCORD really matters. It gives us “insider” knowledge of how the EU works, as well as legitimacy in front of national authorities. We are seen as part of a wider European force.

If these networks disappeared, policies would be driven only by political and economic interests, far from people’s realities. The human side of cooperation would fade, and with it, fairness and sustainability.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

As part of ‘The Power of Many’ series, we hear from Yulia Ralko of the Belarusian National Youth Council (RADA), member of the European Youth Forum. Learn more here: bit.ly/4tqscgh #VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Read Yulia’s story: The Belarus National Youth Council (RADA) is a voluntary union of 44 youth organisations, created to consolidate, represent, promote and defend the rights of youth organisations and young people in Belarus. Unfortunately, because of repression in the country, RADA has been operating underground since 2006.

What is our goal? To provide information on youth issues and rights at local and international levels, strengthen cooperation between youth civil society and the EU, and increase the capacity of youth organisations through educational programs.

Even though Belarus isn’t a member of the EU, it’s important for us that Belarusian youth are heard because EU decisions directly affect them. Almost 11,000 Belarusians study in Polish universities and after mass protests in 2020, many young Belarusians were forced to migrate.

Last December, the Bureau of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe appointed a Youth Delegate from the Belarusian democratic movement to the 2026 Congress. This was historic for Belarus. We never had a Youth Delegate before, particularly at a time when democracy is under pressure.

Since many Belarusian young people are forced into exile in Europe, they greatly depend on EU programmes and opportunities, which should remain accessible. This helps promote EU values by offering them a safer, democratic environment to live.

If we could not be a part of an EU network, our society could fall further to Russian propaganda with no clear ways to escape it. We also wouldn’t be able to communicate the needs and ideas of young people in Belarus and give them a voice beyond our borders.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Apply to become a member of the Civil Society Platform by 3 August 2026! Find all the information about the Platform, its eligibility criteria and the application process in the call for expression of interest (bit.ly/4eOHSWI) and the Platform’s Term of Reference (bit.ly/4f5xVmt). #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

📬Our June 2026 newsletter is out! Find it here: tinyurl.com/5cuffcjt #EUCivilSociety #Newsletter

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

☎️ Call for participants in Civil Society State of the Union 2027! Register to participate as a sub-working group member or co-chair, and help gather ideas and demands to improve conditions for civil society in the EU. Register here: tinyurl.com/bdhyme7t #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

🗣️ Stronger civil society, media and culture means a stronger Europe. Check our infographic to discover stable funding mechanisms for civil society. Stay updated on ‘Voices of Millions’ on our website: bit.ly/3RjPEyk #EUCivilSociety #VoicesOfMillions

Infographic with the following information: A stronger civil society, media and culture means a stronger Europe. Meaningful impact requires more than uncertain funding. What mechanisms can ensure stable funding for civil society, media and culture in the next EU long-term budget? The AgoraEU programme amounts to 8.6 billion euros for culture, media and civil society. The European Parliament's proposal for a 25% increase amounts to 11 billion euros. How to achieve stable funding? Strengthen AgoraEU through revenue from fines under Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, and AI Act. Allocate 85% of funds to civil society under CERV+, the key funding resource for civil society. Ensure sustainable and long-term funding: CERV+ should continue to provide operating grants. The message is clear: it's time to invest in civil society. Logos of "Voices of Millions" and "Co-funded by the European Union" on bottom right corner,

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Are you a consultant with experience of EU affairs and EU civil society, with excellent research and writing skills? Then we're looking for you! More info can be found here: lnkd.in/egUTJunZ #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

On 23 June, we cooperated in the organisation of the Civil Dialogue Forum hosted by the European Parliament and European Commission, to promote structured civil dialogue and exchange practices. Read more: tinyurl.com/2nczk8dt Photos: © European Union 2026 - Source : EP #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

🔊 The lived experiences of persons with disabilities must inform decisionmaking. We hear from Blandine Bouniol, Deputy Director for Advocacy and Institutional Relations at Humanity & Inclusion. Learn more about our ‘Voices of Millions campaign’ here: bit.ly/4svMm7X #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Read Blandine's story: Humanity & Inclusion (HI) works in over 60 countries to create a more inclusive world, where persons with disabilities and vulnerable populations can live in dignity and with their fundamental rights respected. We aim to remove barriers to their participation in all areas of society and make sure that no-one is left behind.

The core of our advocacy is centering the voices of persons with disabilities, as they are usually the most marginalised, and often excluded from aid and decision making. We shape our priorities and policy messages through their lived experiences, and translate them into actionable recommendations for policymakers.

We take this approach because we want policies to be grounded on realities, and believe that this process strengthens the effectiveness of humanitarian and development action.

Our advances are tangible. We played a key role in developing the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, which then led the UN to mandate that service delivery be non-discriminatory and inclusive.

Through sustained advocacy, we influenced the EU to adopt their disability marker, ensuring that all EU-funded humanitarian projects account for disability needs. This shift has improved dignity, autonomy, and access to essential services for millions.

Being part of EU networks, such as CONCORD, enables us to keep constant dialogue with EU institutions and present a unified voice. These networks also create opportunities to amplify the voices of affected individuals, such as when we brought Margaret Arach Orech, a Ugandan landmine survivor, to speak at the European Development Forum.

Without NGO input to EU policies, society would suffer from deeper exclusion and distrust in institutions and humanitarian actors. The shrinking of civic space would silence those in need and invisibilise vulnerable populations, posing a threat to democracy. Our commitment to “leaving no-one behind” makes decisions more critical, effective and inclusive.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

How can we best allocate EU money to better the lives of the 450+ million people living across our Union? Yesterday, we were at the European Parliament discussing this and more: tinyurl.com/ycxyddj3 Photos: © European Union 2026 - Source : EP #EUCivilSociety #MFF

CSE President Gabriella Civico speaking at lectern with CSE banner behind.

MEP and Vice-President Nicolae Stefanuta speaking at lectern with CSE and European Parliament banner behind.

Panel discussion of 4 people, CSE and EP banners behind and two small tables with microphones in front.

Panel discussion with 5 people in focus. One in the middle is speaking. CSE and EP banners are placed behind and two small tables with microphones are in front.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

🔎 What is the state of funding for civil society in the EU? Check data at a glimpse in our infographic below. Stay updated on ‘Voices of Millions’ on our website: bit.ly/3RjPEyk #EUCivilSociety #VoicesOfMillions

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

🚨 Civil society to European leaders: deliver a budget that is up to the challenge. Ahead of the June European Council, we are launching an open letter calling for a strong EU budget for 2028–2034, backed by adequate new resources. Read the letter: bit.ly/4oDcUUK #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

🌟On 12 June we held our Annual General Assembly. Thank you to all attendees for providing a space to share and discuss CSE’s latest activities, work programme and top priorities. Our members and us remain committed to supporting civil society through our work and mission. #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

🤝On June 10, we held the event “Civil Society in Policy Making”, where representatives from national civil society organisations came together to share and learn about the current situation of civic space in their Member States. #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

🌐 Yesterday, we co-organised the event “Civil Society in Policy Making: From the National to the European Level”. It facilitated exchanges between organisations working at Member State level and MEPs to show the vital role of civil society in strengthening a democratic Europe. #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

🌱Air pollution does not care about borders. Today, we bring you a story from Kajsa Pira, Programme Director at the environmental organisation AirClim, in Sweden. Learn more about CSE’s 'Voices of Millions' campaign here: bit.ly/4tqscgh #VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Read Kajsa's Story. AirClim is a Swedish organisation working on reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. These are issues that do not stop at national borders, which means that collaboration with other European organisations is the only logical approach.
We have achieved concrete policy changes that have positively impacted the lives of people at home and in Europe.

AirClim has been shaping the revision of the Air Quality Directive, accepted in 2024. As an expert organisation, we have provided analysis and expertise on emission measurements, modeling and health effects. Being a member of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) has been really valuable for this process, since their presence in Brussels allowed for advocacy work on site.

Environmental legislation is largely implemented at EU level, which is reasonable. Air pollution does not know about borders, so reducing it only at national level would not be enough.

We believe our contributions to the new directive, leveraged by collaboration within our EU network, will translate into better health and improved living conditions both in Sweden and the rest of Europe.

We cannot imagine our work without an EU network, since international and especially European cooperation is at the heart of our actions. AirClim would hardly be able to carry out our advocacy efforts without European legislation.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

📬Our May 2026 newsletter is out! Find it here: bit.ly/43ifUfd #EUCivilSociety #Newsletter

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

✍️ Our President Gabriella Civico recently authored an opinion piece on the role of civil society in EU policymaking in Nonprofit. Read more here: bit.ly/3RWgiNY #EUCivilSociety #VoicesOfMillions

Navy background with white text on top that reads 'Civil society has long been a partner in EU policymaking. We must ensure that it continues this way.' in quotation and attributed to Gabriella Civico, CSE President. There are turquoise speech bubbles near the text and on the bottom right, it says 'Read the full opinion piece at the link in caption.'

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

👥People with disabilities must be represented in EU decision-making. Today, ‘The Power of Many’ brings a story from Pierre Gyselinck, President of the Belgian Disability Forum. Learn more about our ‘Voices of Millions campaign’ here: bit.ly/4tqscgh #VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Read Pierre's story. The Belgian Disability Forum (BDF) unites 18 organisations representing persons with disabilities across Belgium, and we’re also a member of the European Disability Forum (EDF).
It’s important for us to be able to represent persons with disabilities when decisions in the EU are being made. Many policies developed at the EU level have an impact at national level and vice-versa. EDF’s motto is also ours: nothing about us without us.

In 2009, BDF members pointed out an issue persons with disabilities face when travelling across the EU: there was no tool to acknowledge their disability. In fact, many couldn’t access the same support as nationals when abroad, such as access to transportation equipment, reduced museum tickets etc.
This is when the concept of the European Disability Card was born. With the help of EDF’s executive committee and secretariat, we managed to make this card a key priority in their action plan.

We met with Marianne Thyssen, who was then Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, and soon a pilot project with 8 member states began. This led to the Commission proposing a Directive which is currently being implemented. The first European Disability Cards will be distributed in June 2027!
Being active at EU level opens up many possibilities. If BDF could not be a member of an EU network, we wouldn’t be able to have an effect on European legislation. As a clear example, if the disability cards had been advocated for without EDF, it would’ve taken many years to reach any results.

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

🚨Today, we are presenting our joint civil society contribution to the Commission’s Annual Rule of Law Report 2026, focusing on civic space. Read here: bit.ly/4uX2MI9 #EUCivilSociety

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Civil Society Europe @eucivilsociety.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

💙 Today, we launch our ‘Power of Many’ series with a story from Brian Reyes, Plataforma del Voluntariado de España. Read more below 👇 Learn more about our ‘Voices of Millions campaign’ here: bit.ly/4tqscgh #VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Image of man speaking at event with quote at the bottom right that says 'Part of the work we do in Spain is channeling European knowledge, information, and opportunities to local organisations and to the people.' To the left of this is his name, job title, and organisation.

The Spanish Volunteering Platform is an active member of the Centre for European Volunteering (CEV). We decided to join this network because we are aware we are not alone, but form part of a global and interconnected reality in which different actors exchange information, knowledge and opportunities.

In many ways, our work has been shaped and has informed European policy. For instance, we have developed our VOL+ Programme, designed as a way to validate the skills that people acquire through volunteering. Our goal is to advocate for the impact of volunteering in developing professional competences and improving employability.

Belonging to CEV has supported us in designing this programme. Being part of the European ecosystem keeps VOL+ aligned with EU standards for validation and recognition. Connected to this is CEV’s Blueprint for European Volunteering 2030, which consolidates how volunteering contributes to personal and professional development, ideas that align with our validation system.

As part of this network, our Platform is also able to anticipate trends in European policies and ensure that what we do nationally remains connected to the European conversation. It positions us in a common path along with organisations working towards shared goals.

Thanks to these advances, Spanish volunteering organisations have been able to increase their local reputation and professionalism, and improve the conditions of volunteers. And of course, this creates clear benefits for society in general: an increase in solidarity, social engagement, civic participation, citizens’ awareness, and more.

If EU networks disappeared, the loss would be incommensurable, since limitations of time and budget would make it hard to advocate effectively. Working in networks is essential for our sector: it allows us to make the most of our resources and ensure meaningful participation without needing to be everywhere at once.

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