On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, Terre des Hommes International, along with a diverse coalition of society organisations, platforms and networks across the EU, issued an urgent open letter to the leaders of the EU institutions. The letter calls for decisive action to foster a vibrant civic space, uphold democracy, and safeguard fundamental rights over the next five years.

Addressed to the upcoming Polish, Danish, and Cypriot Presidencies of the Council of the European Union, and the Presidents of the European Parliament and European Commission, the letter has garnered support from 415 civil society organisations —belonging to 26 Member States and EU candidate countries. Amid growing concerns over the erosion of democracy in the EU, the document outlines concrete actions to promote democracy, enable, support and protect civil society, strengthen civil dialogue and protect human rights.

The signatories call to take up the following priorities to guide the action of the EU in the next five years:

• A European Civil Society Strategy, integral to a broader European Democracy Agenda, to provide a robust and coherent policy framework that enables, supports and protects civil society.
• A strong mandate for a Commission Vice President responsible for democracy, civic space and dialogue with civil society.
• Reinforcing intermediary bodies and adopting a Civil Dialogue Agreement.
• Funding Policies empowering civil society.
• A European Democracy Semester building on the European rule of law cycle.
• A stronger role of the Fundamental Rights Agency as the European human rights institution.

Read the full letter here.

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