There is widespread recognition of the fact that democracy is under pressure across the world. In 2019, the European Commission responded to these troubling trends with a promise for a new push for European democracy. This commitment put democracy at the heart of European Commission priorities for the 2019-2024 term and set the tone for a new EU-wide political initiative to improve and protect European democracy: the European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP).
As part of a wide coalition of organizations working on democracy, human rights, media and the rule of law and coordinated by European Democracy Partnership, ECNL contributed to the articulation of a joint vision for the EDAP and provided input. Specifically, we contributed to the analysis and recommendations on Civic Space and Active Citizenship and argued for:
- civic space impact assessments,
- a comprehensive policy framework with guiding principles on civic space, and
- more meaningful and inclusive public participation both on EU and national level, including in times of emergency.
Civil society stands ready and united to serve as a resource and a partner to the European Commission in the development and implementation of the EDAP. The paper exemplifies the collective strength and vibrancy of European civil society.
For more, see input paper and joint statement:
A comprehensive plan to innovate democracy in Europe: Civil society vision for the European Democracy Action Plan
Joint statement: 5 demands for an ambitious EDAP