Call for expression of interest for participation in consultation processes for anti-racism civil society organisations for the implementation of the
EU Anti-racism action plan
On 18 September 2020, the European Commission adopted an ambitious EU Anti-Racism action plan that sets out a series of measures for the next 5 years. It marks the recognition of the crucial role of civil society organisations[1] in the fight against racism and discrimination.
The Commission will prioritise listening to those affected and will implement and monitor this action plan with the involvement of people experiencing everyday racism and discrimination. To that end, it foresees regular consultation and dialogue with Member States, equality bodies and local level representatives as well as with civil society organisations that represent the concerns of the individuals affected.
These dialogues will not only cover the targeted measures announced in this action plan, but will also be central to the work of mainstreaming the perspectives of people with a racial minority or ethnic background into all EU policies. This means reaching out to and engaging more with civil society actors on the ground. The Commission will regularly, and at least twice a year, meet with civil society organisations active in the fight against racism at European, national and local levels to take stock of progress in the fight against racism. This dialogue should include a wide range of networks that represent at EU level the interests of racialized people. It should in particular give a voice in an organized form to grassroots actors who have first-hand expertise and experience for defining the right way forward.
This call provides the opportunity for CSOs and/or alliances of CSOs to express their interest in supporting the work at European Union level and their readiness to participate in consultation processes. All CSOs who express their interest will be informed regularly about important policy developments. Moreover, according to the experience and knowledge of the organisations, based on the information provided in the expression of interest, the Commission services will determine the list of CSOs and/or alliances of CSOs who will be invited to contribute to consultation processes, in particular on the monitoring of the implementation of the EU anti-racism action plan at the EU level. All expressions of interest will be carefully reviewed based on outreach capacity, work topics, expertise, size and type of CSO as well as the following criteria:
- independent status and legal registration in the EU, featuring a democratic decision-making mechanism as well as a mission and values aligned with those of the European Commission;
- proven expertise of at least one or more of the following: policy, research, advocacy work concerning racial and ethnic equality and anti-racism;
- proven expertise in at least one or more of the following thematic areas: racial justice, equality, reparations and decolonisation, anti-migrant racism;
- legitimacy of the CSO’s representations (community ties, accountability to beneficiaries and/or members);
- respect for pluralism of opinion, tolerance and personal integrity of the representatives is mandatory;
- good working knowledge of English as this is the working language of CSO consultation meetings; and
- demonstrated ability of engaging in constructive dialogue with other governmental and/or non-governmental organizations is highly valued.
Recommended supporting documents:
- copy of the statutes (constitution), including proof of grant of legal personality, evidence of internal rules procedure, evidence of the registration in the transparency register (why should you register? );
- audited financial statement for the last 2 years or any other official document demonstrating the annual income;
- annual activity reports for the last 2 years or any other published reports or research as evidence of anti-racism work;
- CV(s) of the CSO representative(s).
CSOs are welcome to express interest to participate in the consultation processes by sending a duly filled form and the requested documents in PDF format to JUST-NO-RACISM
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (JUST-NO-RACISM[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) by 11 July 2021 at the latest. Please use the subject “2021 anti-racism consultation forum_name of organisation”.
CSOs that submit applications by 11 July will be invited to an introductory meeting on 22 July. It will be an opportunity to meet the newly appointed Anti-Racism Coordinator, Michaela Moua, and hear about the priorities of the anti-racism team for the months ahead.
Applications submitted after 11 July will also be screened on regular basis and could be considered. The first meeting of the Civil Society Organisations consultative body will be organised on 23 September 2021 (date to be confirmed).
Please find below the expression of interest form and the privacy statement.
The Permanent anti-racism Civil Society Organisations Forum has been established. The first official meeting took place on 5 October 2021. Below you can find the document listing the official members of the Permanent CSO Forum . The call for the Permanent Forum is currently closed, but a new call for expression of interest will be launched in Spring 2023.
[1] Such as non-governmental organisations, charities, professional associations, social movements, academia, etc.