A thriving civic space to protect fundamental rights

Enabling a thriving civic space to protect fundamental rights in the EU

As recognised in the European Commission’s 2022 report on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the EU Strategy for Civil Society, dedicated to “A thriving civic space for upholding fundamental rights in the EU”, civil society organisations (CSOs) and human rights defenders (HRDs) play a key role in protecting and promoting the EU values of fundamental rights, rule of law and democracy. 

They carry out awareness raising and advocacy activities, they support rights holders and act as watchdogs, contributing to hold decision makers accountable. Their role is crucial to signal threats to the rule of law, to democracy and to the conduct of free and fair elections. 

CSOs and HRDs contribute to the effective implementation of EU legislation and policy on the ground, including in the areas of combating discrimination, hate speech and disinformation, protecting the rights of victims of crime, as well as women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health rights and rights of minority groups, such as LGBTIQ persons, migrants and asylum seekers, and for public integrity and anti-corruption, and environmental protection.

The Commission has in place a series of initiatives to promote a supportive environment for CSOs and HRDs, including by fostering a dialogue with national authorities, international organisations and donors, as done in the 2023 series of seminars that followed up on the 2022 Charter report.  

Final report of the 2023 series of seminars on “A thriving civic space for upholding fundamental rights in the EU: looking forward”

In 2025, the European Commission has adopted the EU Civil Society Strategy which focuses on three key objectives: 

1. To strengthen effective and meaningful engagement with civil society as a partner in governance. 

2. To ensure an open, safe and enabling civic space by providing support and protection to civil society organisations. 

3. To support civil society organisations with adequate, sustainable and transparent funding. 

As part of the implementation of this Strategy, the Commission will establish a Civil Society Platform, which will provide a regular and structured framework for its engagement with CSOs in areas relevant for upholding EU values, in particular those working on promoting democracy, the rule of law, equality and fundamental rights.  

EU Strategy for Civil Society

Factsheet on the EU Strategy for Civil Society

Three work strands

The Commission’s work focuses on the three following areas:

Enhancing the protection of civil society organisations exposed to threats and attacks, both in the online and offline environments

• 2023 thematic seminar on protecting civil society organisations and human rights defenders  
• Rule of law reports 
• Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP)
• Commission proposal to facilitate cross-border activities of non-profit associations in the EU
• Support to civil society and human rights defenders in the external action

Securing adequate funding and capacity for civil society organisations to exercise their role and support their communities

• 2023 thematic seminar on supporting civil society organisations and human rights defenders through funding
• CERV Charter call on protecting fundamental rights by empowering the civic space

Empowering CSOs and HRDs to take active part to policy and decision-making process, by fostering their effective participation

• 2023 thematic seminar on empowering civil society organisations and human rights defenders
• Recommendation (2023) on promoting the engagement and effective participation of citizens and civil society organisations in public policy-making processes