29 July 2022 | “A vibrant and independent civil society, in an open civic space, is vital for a healthy
democracy, strong social justice, and to safeguard the rule of law.”

>> Read the full report here

In June 2022, the Civil Society Convention for the Conference on the Future of Europe (CSO CoFoE) published its recommendations for the inclusion of civil society in the Conference “and beyond.” Coordinated by Civil Society Europe, over 100 experts and practitioners from 40 organisations compiled more than 200 recommendations. Such data is based on cooperation with over 80 European organisations, beginning in February 2021, and compelemented by survey responses from over 2000 European civil society organisations.

The overall consensus was that “Some of these proposals, just like some recommendations stemming from the Conference’s Citizens’ Panels and WGs, will require changes in the current Treaties and the setting of a Constitutional Convention. Civil society and social partners should participate closely in this process.”

The report emphasises that the intersection of various crises, such as climate change and Covid-19, requires a coordinated response from EU policy-makers. Moreover, the report aims to “voice the concerns and amplify the voices of those who struggle to access their rights.” There must also be “a stronger involvement by citizens and their representative associations,” according to its authors. Such “involvement” allows the lived experiences of citizens to be incorporated into EU policy, as outlined in Article 11 of the Lisbon Treaty. Further key points include the importance of digitalisation and of the ability of a strong civil society to counteract threats to demoncracy:

“A vibrant and independent civil society, in an open civic space, is vital for a healthy democracy, strong social justice, and to safeguard the rule of law.”