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Conference asks where do we stand with the European civil society strategy?

FRA presented an overview of civic space challenges in the EU at the conference ‘Where do we stand with the European civil society strategy?’.

FRA gave a preview of the findings contained in its upcoming civic space report which will be published on 18 October. It described the challenges, progress and ways forward in the legal environment, access to resources, access to decision-making and participation, and threats and attacks.

The conference marked the closure of the large ‘Reclaim our our civil space!’ programme. The EEA and Norway Grants funded programme ran for over 3.5 years by 10 civil society organisations from eight countries - Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Norway.

The project addressed democratic backsliding and shrinking civil space in Central and Southeastern Europe. It supported local organisations to build their capacities, facilitating cross-border networking, and connecting local and Brussels-based organisations with a view of bringing their concerns to the EU level.