Consultation process

Call for expression of interest for participation in the consultation processes for the implementation of the EU Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030

The European Commission invites civil society organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders committed to combating racism to take part in the call for expression of interest for the Anti-Racism Civil Society Forum.

Established in 2021, the CSO Forum, a key deliverable of the EU anti-racism action plan 2020- 2025, has been invaluable in supporting the Commission in the implementation of EU anti- racism policies through structured consultations and by reviewing progress. It is currently comprised of 21 EU-level and national anti-racism civil society organizations to ensure impactful collaboration. It convenes 3-4 times a year, including one in-person meeting in Brussels, to provide valuable insights that bolster the Commission’s goals in combating racism across diverse dimensions.

With this call for expression of interest, the Commission aims at renewing the Forum, broadening and diversifying the membership to ensure wide-ranging insights to combating racism. This call for expression of interest is part of the new Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030 adopted on 20 January 2026. The call reflects the European Commission’s commitment to strengthen dialogue and meaningful participation of CSO’s and relevant stakeholders.

The initiative complements broader efforts of the Commission to protect and strengthen civic space to promote and strengthen democracy, rule of law, equality, and fundamental rights.

The main objective of the renewed Forum is to support the Commission in the implementation of the Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030. Therefore, it is paramount to ensure the thematic areas of the Strategy are reflected in the expertise of the membership.

The main areas of the Strategy are:

1. Tackling structural racism
2. Enforcing anti-racism legislation and stepping up protection against hatred
3. Strengthening social equality and cohesion

The renewed Forum will support in the development of an annual work program to align the Forum’s activities with the Commission’s strategic objectives and update the Forum’s “Guidance to consultation”.

Through this call for expression of interest, the Commission invites:

• Civil society Organisations, including grassroots organisations, dedicated to fight diverse forms of racism.
• Academic networks, to ensure research-driven insights essential for shaping effective anti- racism policies and practices.

To effectively support the Commission in the implementation of the strategy in the thematic areas indicated above, the Commission encourages applicants working on one or more of the following areas to express interest:

• different forms of racism: e.g. anti-Black racism, antigypsyism, anti-Muslim hatred, antisemitism and anti-Asian racism
• various manifestations of racism: hate speech, hate crime, harassment and/or racial discrimination in different areas of life (e.g. education, employment, housing, health, social protection).
• organisations working on equality data, historical roots of racism/decolonisation , inclusive media, diversity and inclusion
• organisations working on access to justice, addressing racism in policing, artificial intelligence (AI)
• organisations considering intersectionality and the anti-racism perspective in their area of advocacy work (e.g. anti-Migrant racism, rights of the child, youth, disability rights, LGBTIQ+ equality).
• academic networks focused on combating racism
• inclusive democracies

Ensuring membership with such diverse expertise will be central in supporting the Commission in addressing racism wholistically, with an intersectional and evidence-based approach. The membership should also ensure geographical balance and encompass national and grassroots organizations actively engaged at community level.

To maintain equality among all potential applicants, current members will also need to reapply. This ensures that the selection process provides an opportunity for new perspectives and continued commitment in our collective efforts. The Commission encourages all existing members to participate in this application process to remain active in shaping the Permanent Anti-Racism Civil Society Forum's future.

The Commission will carefully review all applications and choose a maximum of 30 organisations based on the following criteria:

• Independent status and legal registration: Organizations must be registered in the EU transparency register with a mission and values aligned with the European values.
• Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in policy, research, or advocacy related to anti- racism.
• Thematic areas: Proven expertise in at least one or more of the thematic areas of the Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030 as mentioned above.
• Legitimacy: Strong community ties and accountability to beneficiaries or members.
• Values:  Respect   for pluralism of opinion, tolerance, and integrity among representatives
• Language: Good working knowledge of English, as it is the working language for meetings.

Members of the Forum will receive regular updates on policy developments on anti-racism and other intersecting policies. Civil Society engagement in consultations is crucial to advancing the EU’s mission for equality and non-discrimination.

Requested supporting documents:

• copy of the statutes (constitution), including proof of grant of legal personality, evidence of internal rules procedure,
• 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).
• evidence of the registration in the transparency register (why should you register? )

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-RACISMec [dot] europa [dot] eu (JUST-NO-) JUST-NO-RACISMec [dot] europa [dot] eu (RACISM[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) by 31 March 2026 at the latest. Please use the subject “2026 anti- racism consultation forum _ Name of organisation”.

Applications submitted by 31 March 2026 will be screened on regular basis and could be considered.

Please find below the privacy statement.

Documents