570+ Organisations Join Forces to Defend Civil Society
European civil society organisations (CSOs) are currently facing an attack coming from certain Members of the European Parliament. Spearheaded by some MEPs from the European People’s Party (EPP) and by far-right groups, this attack resorts to misleading arguments to fabricate a scandal. This portrayal has been amplified through the media, with notable exceptions of articles that attempted to clarify this misleading narrative. European CSOs are crucial to ensure the voices of citizens from different parts of Europe are heard in the EU institutions. Attacks against civil society are unfortunately not new and are exacerbated by this harmful idea. Furthermore, for-profit corporate lobbying is through the roof when compared to non-profit advocacy.  In 2024, the 50 corporations with the largest lobbying budgets collectively spent nearly €200 million on lobbying the EU alone (66% more than in 2015). Comparing this to the funding environmental NGOs receive under the LIFE programme - €15.6 million annually of a €700 million yearly budget - truly shows the weakness of this ‘scandal’. 

This is why over 570 civil society organisations from 40 countries, including all EU Member States, have joined forces to call on those in power to act now and ensure that civil society is adequately funded and enabled to share our crucial perspectives. In this statement, we address:

1. The source of this false narrative;
2. Inaccurate claims made about how CSOs obtain and use funding; 
3. Why it’s paramount that CSOs receive sufficient funding;
4. The need for civil dialogue to enable CSOs participation.

Democracy is about the right of citizens to be collectively heard for building an inclusive society and a shared European future; properly funded independent CSOs are a crucial tool for that. We call on decision-makers to ensure civil society organisations can thrive and play their role in interacting with policy-makers in order to have a more fully informed decision-making process.

Read the full statement with the list of all supporters here below, and our previous statement on this matter here. 

Civil Society Europe (CSE) is the coordination of civil society organisations at EU level. Through its membership, CSE unites EU-level membership-based organisations that reach out to millions of people active in or supported by not-for-profits and civil society organisations across the EU. CSE was created by several civil society organisations as a follow-up to the European Year of Citizens and was established as an international not-for-profit under Belgian law in 2016. Since then, it has become the point of reference for EU institutions on transversal issues concerning civil dialogue and civic space.

For further information on this topic, please contact matteo.vespa@civilsocietyeurope.eu

25 April 2025

An Update on NGO Funding Attacks & How You Can Still Support

Dear signatories, 

We at Civil Society Europe warmly thank you for your participation in our statement against NGO funding attacks that was launched on April 7th. By engaging with us and spreading our message, you directly contributed to raising awareness across Europe on this issue and are helping us turn the tide in favour of civil society. Since the statement’s release, we saw a report on the transparency of EU funding to NGOs by the European Court of Auditors be published, which confirmed that there is no evidence of irregularities or misuse in how NGOs are selected or how EU grants are used. 

Furthermore, EU budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin, in response to a parliamentary question, reiterated the importance of independent civil society and spoke against the false narrative that NGOs engaged in ‘undue lobbying activities’ on the Commission's behalf.However, our work is far from over. The report on the discharge to be voted on May 7th, although improved, still contains problematic language. 

Furthermore, in an attempt to prolong this attack on civil society, the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament is pushing for the establishment of an inquiry committee on NGO funding. The purpose of an inquiry committee is to investigate genuine breaches of EU law and is not intended to be used to further push anti-NGO rhetoric. It’s due to these developments that we’ve decided to keep our statement open for further signatures until April 30th. 

We ask you to please support us by spreading the form for signatures within your networks. We’ll then repost the statement before the relevant vote on May 7th to reiterate our stance against these attacks. 

We thank you for your continued support.

Warm regards,

Civil Society Europe

On the 12^th of March 2025 the European Parliament, echoing the “Memorandum on a European Defence Union”[1] issued by the reconstituted Monnet Action Committee for the United States of Europe, called the European Council to activate the different provisions of article 42 of the Lisbon Treaty to setting up a European Common Defence.

This will pave the way for the creation of an autonomous European Defence System (EDS), endowed with its chain of command and in charge of territorial defence. Such and EDS will not be dependent on the will of the current US President, and it will operationalize the mutual assistance clause foreseen article 42.7 of the Treaty.

Therefore, we fully support this urgent call for action by the European Parliament in view of the meeting of the European Council of 20th March 2025. We ask President Costa and the High Representative to propose to the Member States the activation of article 42.2 TEU for the establishment of the said Common Defence. If unanimity is not reached, we call for a large group of Member States to establish the proposed EDS on the basis of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), foreseen in article 46 TEU. This institutional PESCO shall remain open to all Member States willing to join.

We must remind Member States that a European defence cannot be reduced to the different rearmament proposals, something that could also result in waste and inefficiencies if not properly coordinated at the EU level. There will not be a proper European Defence Union without the required political, strategic, and operational dimensions.

We also must emphasize that any viable European Defence Union also requires overcoming the national vetoes and the intergovernmental approach, thereby ensuring the proper parliamentary and democratic control of the EDS. Therefore, we remind the European Council of its legal obligation to follow up on Parliament´s proposal to reform the Lisbon Treaty in a federal direction, and call to President Costa to urgently address the matter with the Member States.

The massive citizen´s demonstrations of 15^th March that have taken place in several European cities, from Rome to Tbilisi, confirm that there is a strong popular sentiment in support of freedom, democracy, European integration, and Ukraine´s resistance, and against Putin´s and Trump´s imperialism, and their allies in Europe. We call on the European peoples to sway their national leaders and choose to unite in a federation, and we ask on the European Council to hear these strong voices.

Finally, we commit ourselves to foster the popular mobilization for a more united Europe in the run up to the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.

Related news:

1. White paper on the future of European defence. European Parliament resolution of 12 March 2025 on the white paper on the future of European defence (2025/2565(RSP))

Read here the MEMORANDUM ON A EUROPEAN DEFENCE UNION

UPDATE

The UEF has receved answers from the Chair of Renew Europe Valerie Hayer in data 5 March with the indication of this call of Renew sent to EU Leaders (LINK HERE)

GREEK VERSION |

Brussels, February 18, 2025 

The week of the 10^th of February 2025 will go down in history as one of infamy. The Trump administration started a bilateral dialogue with Putin on Ukraine, setting up a negotiation process that excludes both the attacked country but also Europe; hinted at the end of US security guarantee to the continent; and disparaged European democracy at the Munich Security Conference. In a meeting of selected EU leaders in Paris on 17 February, they struggled to show a united approach to position our Union in view of this new geopolitical situation. They also failed to put forward concrete institutional plans to achieve more political unity and a Defence Union, beyond agreeing on increasing defence expenditures.

The aggression and humiliation that Europeans are suffering at the hands of the Trump Administration leave no room for doubt or speculation. A dual attack is underway: on European security—now seen as nothing more than a burden by Washington, which seeks to abandon Ukraine in the hands of Putin in a logic of “spheres of influence”; and on liberal democracy—also regarded as an obstacle to the project of a new autocratic and populist international order.

In light of the opening of negotiations between the U.S. and Russia for the partition of Ukraine, what alternatives remain? The future of Ukraine is at stake, and with it, the future of Europe itself. If Europeans cannot provide Ukraine with support and certainty, the European Union itself will be overwhelmed. In this emerging world of great autocratic imperial powers, the only way to save democracy and freedom is to counterbalance them with the political weight of a great democratic and federal state, able to secure its own defence, since the US is not anymore a reliable partner, and more likely, and it has become an adversary.

Right now, citizens want a common defense, as confirmed by surveys with overwhelmingly high percentages; and many European states are already directly threatened by Russia. The only current alternative proposed by EU leaders seems to be the individual rearmament of countries, aiming to increase integration and interoperability but only on a voluntary basis. However, the industrial dimension alone will not produce a Defence Union able to guarantee the territorial defence of Europe. Moreover, under these conditions, the rush to rearm will inevitably result in a significant portion of new defense investments being spent on purchasing arms and technology from third countries, primarily the US. That will be folly.

Building an autonomous security and defense requires strong political will for integration, which is essential to address two crucial issues: developing a collective strategy based on a shared analysis of priority threats and interests to be protected; and mobilizing significant financial resources. Whatever model is chosen to build a European armed, it must be acknowledged that, in parallel, the formation of a unified political leadership is necessary—one capable of representing the common interest and making political decisions accordingly.

Therefore the UEF calls for:

• Continued and stronger support to Ukraine, particularly in terms of delivery of weapons and its range of use, filling if needed the potential gap left by the US.
• The rejection of any deal between the US and Russia that is not accepted by Ukraine and that does not provide long-term security for our continent.
• An urgent an extraordinary meeting of the European Council to address concrete steps for the political unification of Europe, in line with the European Parliament´s 2023 constitutional proposal, and the available possibilities for setting-up a European Defence Union, including among others, those offered by the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).

We call on the European Parliament to support the said objectives in its plenary meeting of 10th-13th March 2025, and on the most responsible and active Member States to mobilize within the European Council accordingly.

Europe is in its darkest hour since 1945. But now, there are no saviors across the Atlantic, while we face an imminent danger in our Eastern border. Europe can only count on itself and must decide whether to remain passive and allow itself to be dominated by the emerging Trump-Putin Axis, or to react with unity and decisiveness. 

RELATED LINKS

- Resolution | A European foreign and security policy in a Changing World 
- Resolution on Building Consensus for Treaty Change

On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the Spinelli Group, represented by its President Lukas Mandl (EPP) and board members Gabriele Bischoff (S&D), Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA), Nikolaos Farantouris (Left), and Sandro Gozi (Renew Europe), held a press conference to present their ambitious initiative, Project 27.

This project underscores the Spinelli Group’s commitment, as the European Federalist Movement within the European Parliament, to reshape the European Union through treaty reform across all 27 Member States by 2027. The reform process is rooted in the establishment of a European Convention, as outlined in Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union, aiming to address citizens' demands for a more efficient and responsive Union.

As Lukas Mandl declared: “If we want to respond to the call of the citizens for the reform of the EU, if we want to contribute to a prosper and proper future of the European Union and our very continent, we have to thrive for a treaty reform.”

Gabriele Bischoff warned: "If Europe cannot act fast, bold, and as united as possible, it will face very difficult times." 

Key Objectives of Project 27

As Daniel Freund stressed “We don't want to waste too much time on missed opportunities but say we really need to take the opportunity now.” During the press conference, the board highlighted several ambitious priorities, including:

• Reshaping Decision-Making: Reducing the unanimity principle to allow for faster, stronger, and more consistent decision-making.
• Strengthening Security: Elevating European security capabilities in a manner complementary to NATO.
• Economic Resilience: Enhancing regulation, fostering strategic investments, promoting education, nurturing innovation, and tackling demographic challenges to build a robust workforce.
• Support for Ukraine: Ensuring sustained military and financial support for Ukraine and involving EU actors in reconstruction efforts.
• Democratic Advancement: Developing and reinforcing European democratic structures.
• Readiness for Enlargement: Preparing the European Union for the accession of new Member States.

Moving Forward

This week, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the Spinelli Group board members convened in Strasbourg to further refine the guidelines of this transformative project and discuss the group's next steps and initiatives.

Sandro Gozi expressed hope: "Representatives from five political groups, who may disagree on many issues, are united in pushing for European Union reform." 

Nikolas Farantouris urged "The Council and the Commission to take steps now and fast towards treaty reform, common policies, and at the end of the day, a common foreign policy.” 

Learn More

Brussels, November 21, 2024

European Parliament's Major Pro-European Political Groups agree to a Legislature Pact

The Union of European Federalists (UEF) is pleased that three of the largest political groups of the European Parliament—the European People’s Party (EPP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Renew Europe (RE)— have agreed on a cooperation platform for the 10th legislative term.

The agreement, signed by Manfred Weber (Chair EPP), Iratxe García Pérez (Chair S&D), and Valérie Hayer (Chair Renew Europe), pledges for a collaborative work to deliver on an ambitious reform agenda aligned with the Political Guidelines outlined by the European Commission President on 18 July 2024.

This alliance directly answers the urgent call made by the UEF following the European Elections. The UEF has strongly advocated for all democratic and pro-European forces to unite in the European Parliament to reinforce European unity in the context of rising Eurosceptic and Europhobic far-right political parties, including by agreeing to a Legislature Pact.

Treaty Reforms as fundamental for a stronger Europe

Furthermore, The UEF takes note that the agreement stresses the importance of reforming the Union by saying that “we commit to advance necessary reforms, including Treaty changes, towards ‘an ever closer union’”.

“This is a truly historic step in the European political system: the first written coalition agreement among political groups at the EU level” said Domènec Ruiz Devesa, former MEP and President of the UEF.

The next step: The European Council

As agreed in the resolution on Building consensus for Treaty change at the recent Federal Committee in Budapest (16 November), the UEF denounces that the Presidency of the European Council has so far ignored the request of the European Parliament to put the convening of a Convention for the reform of the Treaties on the agenda, and calls on the European Parliament, also on the basis of the said Cooperation Platform to continue the battle begun in the previous parliamentary term for the opening of a Convention to reform the Treaties ex art. 48, in particular by adopting a Plenary Resolution recalling the obligations of the European Council on the matter.

Brussels, November 6, 2024 

Donald Trump's clear victory in the United States of America is a tsunami for the European Union that the governments of the 27 Member States would do well to take note of as soon as possible.  

Beyond the weakening of democracy in America and worldwide that this election may bring, Europeans should quickly recognize the significance of the aggressive and irresponsible nationalism of the incoming President. They must prepare for the reality that Trump will likely seek to weaken, divide, and manipulate them. 

It is time for our 27 national governments to realize that maintaining a fictitious sovereignty is futile. This approach keeps them powerless, unable to ensure their own security, and condemns them to industrial and economic decline. Will they recognize that, as during the COVID era, the situation is critical and that a shake-up is essential to protect one another, collectively, as a community of destiny? Or will each country attempt to save itself alone? Will they continue finding excuses to resist the greater political integration that is clearly needed in this context and well explained in the Draghi and Niinistö reports of the European Commission? This Union cannot withstand global competition or protect itself effectively. Standing still now is equivalent to paralysis and condemning itself to an inevitable agony, one that will be swifter—and no less painful—with Trump. 

A strong signal must now come from the EU states. It is clear that the EU needs autonomy in defense and security; however, this is not a swift process. It can only be credible and successfully initiated if national governments clearly demonstrate their determination to strengthen their unity and work cohesively to build a shared future. In this regard, much could be achieved quickly if political will is engaged. For instance, the European Commission has the authority to address the anticipated trade war on tariffs. However, it lacks the authority to complete the Single Capital Market needed to channel private savings into essential European investments, and it cannot initiate a European public investment plan through debt issuance. These actions are urgent, as the EU can no longer delay launching a project to support technological innovation and industrial development, especially in defense. Therefore, it is crucial to complete monetary union with essential tools, authorize EU fiscal autonomy, and establish majority voting in foreign policy. This can and must be accomplished now.  

‘There will be time to analyse the causes of Trump's return to the US presidency, but what is clear is that Europe needs to wake up,’ said Domenec Ruiz Devesa, president of the UEF ‘There is no alternative for Europeans to become a federal union and thus to put in place a European defence’. 

As Draghi himself warns, governments that understand this must take the lead and act. They must take the first steps to give Europe the credibility it needs to oppose Trump's desire for dominance and to stop Putin's hegemonic ambitions. It is essential to think about a real and decisive common response to protect Ukraine, the EU's eastern countries, and all European citizens. If they can grasp the mortal danger they face, perhaps Europeans will finally find the strength to build a shared sovereignty, to become a united state community. This is a call to action for the governments of the larger states: France, Germany, Poland, Spain and Italy must find the political will to lead the process. 

October 18, 2024

The meeting of the European Council on 17 October in Brussels focused mostly on the dramatic international situation including the conflict in Ukraine - highlighted by the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - and the escalating conflict in the Middle East, in particular the dangerous situation in Lebanon and its potential consequences.

An important point of this EUCO was to initiate the debate on the topic of strengthening European competitiveness, a discussion based on the reports by Enrico Letta “Much more than a market” and Mario Draghi “The future of European competitiveness”. The European leaders called on the member states and institutions “to take work forward to meet the challenges identified in the reports” and they will continue the debate at the informal EUCO taking place in November. 

However, the Union of European Federalists (UEF) regrets to note that no mention of Treaty Reforms was included in the European Council’s Conclusions. Despite institutional reforms being necessary to address the root causes of the EU's economic challenges, as highlighted in the reports by Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi, they were absent from the final Conclusions.

The UEF recalls that citizens provided a clear mandate to the European institutions for urgent EU Treaty reform following the Conference on the Future of Europe, which concluded in 2022. In November 2023, in response to this mandate, the European Parliament initiated the procedure under Article 48(2) of the Treaty on European Union and adopted its proposal to amend the Treaties.

After sending letters to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, and the heads of EU Member States, alongside our sections and partners from the Spinelli Group, European Movement International (EMI), and the Young European Federalists (JEF Europe), the UEF expresses deep concern over the European Council’s lack of action. “The battle with the European Council still remains. We have already sent two letters to Charles Michel (President of the European Council) who replied ‘yes, don't forget, we started the discussion as part of the European Council's strategic agenda’. This is fine, but we have to put it on the agenda for a decision.” said Domenec Ruiz Devesa, former MEP and UEF President, “As UEF we should now look to the new President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, to relaunch this issue in a few months' time.”

This inaction is particularly troubling given the urgent context of upcoming EU enlargement(s), and the importance of the fourth Copenhagen Criterion, which addresses the EU's preparedness for new member states' accession and the potential need for internal reforms: “Enlargement cannot be unconditional. It must go hand in hand with the deepening of political union” concludes Domenec Ruiz Devesa.

The UEF reiterates its call for a real consideration of Treaty Reforms by the European Council and expresses the importance of aligning the Council’s Conclusions with the aspirations of citizens. 

RELATED LINKS

• Letter to Charles Michel, President of the European Council requesting to include in the Agenda of the European Council of 14-15 December 2023 the discussion on the European Parliament position on proposals for the amendment to the Treaties
• Letter to Charles Michel, President of the EU Council from UEF, EMI, The Spinelli Group and JEF with a memorandum on the Treaty revision procedures
• Letters sent by UEF or its National sections or JEF Europe to the members of the European Council in view of the EUCO meeting of 21-22 March 2024

Brussels, October 10, 2024 

The President of UEF Austria, Lukas Mandl, MEP EPP, will take over the rotating Presidency of the parliamentary intergroup. He was appointed yesterday by the Spinelli Group Board meeting in Strasbourg during the work of the first plenary in October.

As Lukas Mandl inherited the rotating presidency of the Spinelli Group from Sandro Gozi, MEP Renew, and former President of the UEF, the UEF stands beside his leadership and ensures him the support of all federalists.

The Spinelli Group and the UEF warmly thank Sandro Gozi for his chairmanship.
“It has been an honour to serve as Chair of the Spinelli Group for the past two years. Through our federalist network, we have undertaken a historic political fight for the reform and democratisation of the European Union, an effort that must persist in this new term. I extend my best wishes to the new Chair, Lukas Mandl, who will undoubtedly advance our mission to reform the Union and unify the continent.

In this European mandate, federalists play a crucial role in ensuring that EU institutions are responsive to the demands from the Conference on the Future of Europe. By driving treaty reform, we aim to create a more sovereign and democratic Europe.” Sandro Gozi.

The revision of the European Treaty has been a long-standing demand of the UEF. Lukas Mandl stressed the importance of making the Treaty reforms the focus of his work together with the Spinelli Group.

Lukas Mandl said: "Since I am heading the European Federalists as a President in Austria in my country, I feel obliged to contribute here. […] It means a lot to me that I can do it but I want to do it jointly with the other board members otherwise it will not work."

At the Spinelli Group Board meeting the participants were Petras Auštrevičius, Brando Benifei, Gabriel Bischoff, Vivien Costanzo, Nikolas Farantouris, Daniel Freund, Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle, Sandro Gozi, Benedetta Scuderi, Reinier Van Lanschot, and Ilaria Caria, UEF Secretary General.

Brussels, 7th October 2024

In the face of the tragedy of war, if the European Union wants to bring peace to the Middle East, it is time for it to open a Convention to reform the Treaties in order to have a common foreign and defense policy.

One year has passed since the day Hamas unleashed the most brutal aggression against defenseless Israeli citizens since the Yom Kippur War. On the part of the State of Israel, also on the basis of its legitimate right to self-defense, we are instead witnessing the fall into the demonic trap created by Hamas.

This never-ending tragedy of two peoples in one land is intertwined with the history of the peoples of the region and the processes of world politics, and becomes the subject and active part of a much wider, even global, power conflict. In these days when the whole world is holding its breath for fear of an escalation, with unpredictable outcomes, between Israel and Iran, and while the offensives in Gaza and now also in Lebanon continue, it is difficult to unravel the tangle. 

In this context, the United Nations is powerless. We live in a system where it is still the strength of the great powers that makes it possible to arrive at (sometimes having to impose) a diplomatic solution to conflicts, and creates the conditions for stability in the various areas of the world and for strengthening international organizations and cooperation. This system is in crisis and generates the escalation of the struggle for global hegemony and - as a cascade - in the different regions. 

The UEF cannot stress enough how weak the EU's voice is at this juncture, and how cacophonous the reaction of European states has been until now.

As HRVP Josep Borrell said in Ventotene on 1 September 2024, ‘If we are not united, we are irrelevant. In order to be relevant, we have to be united. And on this problem, we are not. Certainly, we have made progress on building a common and foreign policy. Certainly. But in order to do more, we have to be more united, and we have to have different ways of taking decisions. I don't see how Europe can work with unanimity rule'. He continues: ‘I know it's difficult. But the next generation of the Europeans will have to be more integrated, and more integrated means to be ready to accept decisions by qualified majority voting, not by unanimity, and is not a technicality, is at the core of what the European Union is, how it works and what it delivers.'

This is the reason why, if Europe really wants to contribute to the return of the possibility of peace, it must quickly equip itself with the decision-making and political mechanisms that will enable it to move on the international stage quickly and with a comprehensive common policy agenda, being represented by a true European government endowed with authority and autonomy in external action, generating a unique framework of European intervention that can influence global power relations.

The UEF considers the construction of a strong common foreign and security policy, together with a solid pillar of civil protection capacity, crucial for the future of European unity and global stability. That is why we support the launch of a Convention opening the revision of the Treaties to strengthen the EU and its institutions. 

RELATED LINKS

• Read the Speech by the High Representative Josep Borrell at the Seminar on Federalism in Europe and the world LINK HERE
• Resolution passed by the UEF Congress in November 2023 LINK HERE