A red thread was the protection of civic space, reaffirming the key role of civil society organisations: hold those in power to account, build solidarity, support social resilience, and give a voice to those who are too often ignored.
The EEA and Norway Grants participated in the event, spotlighting the new EEA Civil Society Fund. Funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, this initiative aims to strengthen democracy, rule of law and human rights across Europe.
One of the highlights of the week was the session titled ‘Supporting and funding CSOS’. Around 130 participants gathered to discuss the critical importance of supporting European civil society against the background of shifting political priorities and funding cuts. With the EU and the donors funding the EEA and Norway Grants playing key roles in this conversation, Anna Striethorst, Senior Sector Officer for Civil Society at the EEA and Norway Grants, highlighted the three donor states’ long-standing commitment, saying: “ Through the EEA and Norway Grants Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are reliable partners of civil society in times of crisis. The new support will rise to an unprecedented level, from 200 million EUR to over 300 million for the new funding period.”
Funding civil society advocacy is beneficial, it is essential. It means supporting fundamental rights of citizens, such as free speech, the access to information and the right to participate in public life. If this support is missing, it is left to companies and powerful individuals to influence government decisions – with dire consequences for everyone. Anna Striethorst, Senior Sector Officer Civil Society, EEA and Norway Grants
The session also touched upon the discussion of funding for advocacy. Panellists stressed the benefits of advocacy for creating systemic changes for justice and equality, protecting the fundamental values enshrined in national and international law.
It is very important that the two major funders of civil society organisations in Europe, the European Union and the EEA and Norway grants, keep working together and keep exchanging on how to find better synergies between our different funding opportunities and keep looking for ways to make sure that it is a continued support for Civic Society Organisations in Europe. Paola Cervo, Programme Manager, European Commission, Directorate General
In its conclusions, the panel called for a strong ESF+ and for maximising opportunities under the current support by EU CERV and the EEA and Norway Grants. Panellists expressed hope for a strong Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 that will support CSOs through both EU CERV and the cohesion policy. They further stressed the importance of involving CSOs in design, monitoring and implementation of public funding.