In an increasingly polarised society, how do Civil Society Organisations continue their essential labour? This was the question that all participants of the Civil Society Week pondered during the 4 days that the event lasted.
“We need to be the advocate of unity, not uniformity.” said Adriana Porowska, Polish Minister for Civil Society. Calls for unity in during polarisation echoed through the event: Petros Fassoulas, from European Movement International, called for unity and better understanding among citizens: “If we want to win the values competition and ideas to the far right, we need to deliver our message better.”
On the second day of the event the attendants celebrated ECI Day, a day to discuss the European Citizen Initiative. The ECI is a participatory democracy tool that allows EU citizens to directly propose legislation to the European Commission. Nicolae Ștefănuță, Vice-President of the European Parliament, was clear about the role of the ECI: “There should be no Citizen Initiative in Europe that has no answer from the commission and no follow up. We cherish the ECI because it turns frustration into action.” He added that is a good tool to fight polarization: “Polarization thrives when people feel unheard.”
Teresa Anjinho, from the European Ombudsman, called for more transparency and honesty from European policymakers: “Overpromising leads to disillusionment. Even when political action is not possible, clear communication is essential, so that citizens feel at least that they are heard. ECI is a bridge between citizens and institutions. But a bridge is only useful if citizens know it exist and what it leads to.”
The event also included talks on funding CSOs and the increasing trend to defund advocacy initiatives: “Democracy is the most effective tool to bring social change. Funding advocacy is beneficial. It is funding the rights of citizens.” said Anna Striethorst, from EEA Grants. Faustine Bas-Defossez, from the European Environmental Bureau, added: It is essential that CSO are engaged in policy making, and it is crucial that they receive funding for advocacy.”
At UNITEE, we strongly believe that CSOs role in furthering integration of citizens with multicultural backgrounds, and the widening of access to entrepreneurship to women, migrants and young people will have a very positive economic and social impact in Europe. But to achieve this, advocacy work needs to be prioritized in funding programmes. As Sabine Saliba, Secretary General of Eurochild, put it, “CSO need to be empowered, and that means having the resources to continue their activity, as both service providers and advocates.”
