On the occasion of World Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Day, we pay tribute to all civil society actors who, every day, are at the forefront of the fight for human rights, respect for democratic values and the rule of law. The EU commends their role in supporting and giving voice to the most vulnerable, as well as their essential contribution to building peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
In 2022, European Year of Youth, we pay special tribute to youth organizations as well as young human rights defenders from all over the world. They are essential agents of change and their commitment and courage are all the more necessary to build a sustainable, just and equitable world and to shape a better future for all.
Today, with the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation, international peace and the rule of law are threatened. The EU stands firmly with the Ukrainian and Russian peoples, their civil society and their youth, whose future and voice are threatened by President Putin’s contempt for democracy, human rights and international rules.
Moreover, in many parts of the world, we are witnessing a growing trend of regression of civic space, in practice and through legal and administrative measures. These include barriers to NGO registration, restrictions on access to resources including foreign funding, onerous screening rules and burdensome reporting requirements. Such measures seriously undermine universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. At the same time, civil society actors, including human rights defenders, face physical attacks, reprisals, harassment, intimidation, smear campaigns and increased online surveillance.
This trend cannot continue. States and societies can only be resilient and enjoy long-term sustainable security when democracy is strong, human rights are respected and civil society is able to function freely. The EU is committed to defending and promoting a safe and enabling environment, online and offline, in which civil society can operate without hindrance or insecurity. We also continue to champion the crucial role of civil society in their own country as well as in multilateral forums.
NGOs are key partners in the design, implementation and monitoring of European policies, programs and projects. We recognize NGOs as valuable and effective implementers of human rights, humanitarian relief and development work, due to their proximity and commitment to communities and their local and thematic expertise.
Between 2014 and 2021, the EU provided around €10 billion to support civil society organisations, representing the largest global provider of support to local civil society in partner countries. The EU has also been a leading donor for the protection and support of human rights defenders, with some 53,000 defenders and their families receiving support through ProtectDefenders.eu(link is external) since 2015. With the NDICI Global Europe, we have reconfirmed the centrality of our support to civil society and human rights defenders for the years to come.
Human rights and fundamental freedoms are part of the EU’s DNA, as is partnership with civil society. The engagement, empowerment and support of civil society actors will always remain at the heart of EU action.
Nabila MASSRALI
Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
+32 (0) 2 29 88093
+32 (0) 460 79 52 44
Xavier CIFRE QUATRESOLS
EEAS press officer
+32 2 297 35 82
+32 460 75 51 56
