ECNL responds to consultation for UNGA-80th thematic report on existential threats to freedom of assembly and association rights, collective action and human solidarity

ECNL is grateful to have contributed in June 2025 to the consultative process for the UNGA-80th thematic report on “Freedom of assembly and association rights, collective action and human solidarity facing existential threat: preserving the fundamental principles.”

Below are some key points from our submission:

• The evidence available unequivocally shows that budgetary cuts and changes of states’ priorities have already translated into severe operational disruptions and a deteriorating enabling environment for civil society organisations (CSOs). 
• Populist and anti-rights rhetoric has gained momentum in many countries. Reports show shows that criticism and stigmatisation of international funding of CSOs have increased as well as scrutiny from politicians, government officials, and media outlets.
• Many governments or members of Parliaments are using the turbulent moment to accelerate a series of measures with the aim to prevent ‘foreign interference’ or ‘influence by civil society lobbyists'. While this is not a new phenomenon, the recent developments in the US have provided renewed momentum and greater political backing for similar moves elsewhere.
• The securititisation of state and global agendas, including the UN Security Council published recommendations for Member States to prevent the use of new financial technologies for terrorist purposes, the new EU anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) package, the Hungarian draft law on the transparency of public life and the Italian Security Law will negatively affect CSOs and their freedom of assembly and association rights.

To promote a fairer and more sustainable architecture of aid ensuring the protection and promotion of freedom of assembly and association, we recommend:

• States and international legislative bodies to provide an enabling environment for resource mobilisation and guarantee CSOs’ right to solicit, receive and use resources both domestically and from abroad, including through the use of crowdfunding and other technologies. 
• Donors to provide flexible, multi-year funding mechanisms to organisations so that they can invest in their institutional capacities and sustainability, set their own priorities and quickly respond to changing circumstances.
• Financial institutions to set clear indicators on civic space requirements and recognise that when civic freedoms are blocked, the success and sustainability of financial investments are at risk. They also have an important role in ensuring civil society's access to financial services, especially traditional banking services that are reportedly difficult to use by CSOs in exile or relocation.
• The European Union to uphold its commitment to support, empower and protect civil society by focusing its Multi-Annual Framework Financial Framework (“MFF”) discussions on addressing "the funding needs for democracy resilience-building and human rights protection."

You can read our full submission below.