Registration
Register now to attend the FRP Annual General Meeting 2026. If you have any questions, please contact frp@fra.europa.eu
Context and background
Today, the central question is no longer whether the EU needs to commit to a stronger framework for supporting civil society and democratic resilience, but how these commitments can be collaboratively implemented.
The European Commission's EU Strategy for Civil Society, launched in 2025, establishes a new framework for participation, protection, monitoring and funding of civil society, while related EU initiatives, including the Council Presidency conclusions on democratic resilience and the European Democracy Shield, reinforce the need for stronger EU-national coordination and engagement with local stakeholders.
Supporting civil society means investing in EU’s democratic resilience: stronger citizen participation, more accountable institutions, and better protection of fundamental rights and democratic values.
The Agency’s Fundamental Rights Platform, gathering close to 1,500 organisations from 30 countries, is a key contributor to this structured dialogue. It works as an interface connecting EU level with a broad and diverse fundamental rights community, bringing to the table evidence, lived experience at national level, and early warning signals.
The Platform’s Annual General Meeting will provide an opportunity to update Platform organisations on FRA’s contribution to the implementation of the EU Civil Society Strategy and to discuss how the FRP can contribute to a stronger European civil society ecosystem.
Day 1 explores how civil society’s contribution to fundamental rights and democratic resilience can be strengthened through dialogue platforms, strategic partnerships and knowledge-sharing mechanisms. Through practical insight labs, participants will learn from concrete examples and examine how these approaches can best support evidence-informed policymaking.
Day 2 will offer snapshot briefings on key FRA activities with significant civil society involvement: Fundamental Rights Platform, Civic Space Consultation, Vienna Forum for Fundamental Rights and Democracy, and the Agency’s next Fundamental Rights Report.
Agenda
Day 1: Wednesday, 18 November, 09:30-12:00 CET
Format: online
Connecting the dots: Democracy needs a functioning ecosystem
09:15–09:30 Registration and networking
09:30–09:40 Welcome by Andreas Accardo, Head of Institutional Cooperation and EU Charter Unit, FRA, and Ene Patterson, Project Manager Fundamental Rights Platform, FRA
09:40–09.50 Opening address by Sirpa Rautio, FRA Director
09:50-10:40 Keynote conversation. Democracy needs a functioning ecosystem: The case for a strong civil society
This high-level exchange will examine how Europe can move from recognising civil society’s essential role in democracy to delivering the political commitment, sustainable funding and enabling conditions needed for it to thrive. How can EU institutions and civil society work together to bring the EU Civil Society Strategy to life?
- Irena Moozova, Deputy Director-General for International Dimension of Justice Policies, Rule of Law and Equality, European Commission
- Jose Antonio Moreno Díaz, President of the Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group, European Economic and Social Committee
- Natacha Kazatchkine, Secretary General, European Civic Forum
- Linda Ezenwata, Head of EU-wide Networks and Partnerships, #DiasporaVote!
- András Lederer, Head of Advocacy, Hungary Helsinki Committee
The conversation is moderated by: Andreas Accardo, Head of Institutional Cooperation and EU Charter Unit, FRA
10:40-11:40: Insight labs: Connecting perspectives, people and evidence for stronger democracy
In three parallel sessions, we will explore how we can better connect organisations, strengthen their capacities and ensure that their expertise and experiences truly inform EU policies.
- Connecting perspectives: How can the FRP serve as a bridge to bring civil society perspectives on fundamental rights into EU policy-making? Discussion lead: Waltraud Heller, Civic Space Team, FRA
- Connecting people: Does dialogue work? Civic space dialogues creating in-depth understanding, trust and impact between various stakeholders. Discussion lead: Laura Arikka, Civic Space Team, FRA
- Connecting evidence: How to make the most of the future Online Knowledge Hub on Civic Space? Discussion lead: Balazs Denes, Civic Space Team, FRA
11:40-11:55 Reporting back from the discussion groups
11:55-12:00 Conclusions from Day 1 and outlook into Day 2
Day 2: Thursday, 19 November, 09:30-12:00 CET, online
Turning evidence into action: Strengthening democracy from the ground up
09:30-09:35 Opening of Day 2: Introduction of the agenda and speakers
09:35-09:50 Annual reporting on Platform activities and outlook 2027, by Ene Patterson, FRP Project Manager, FRA. The presentation is followed by Q&A.
09:50-10:35 Civic space health check: presentation and practitioner reflections on the results from FRA’s annual Civic Space Consultation, by Balazs Denes, Policy Officer at FRA
10:35-10:50 The Vienna Forum for Fundamental Rights and Democracy 2027 introduced by Forum Manager Katerina Vyzvaldova, FRA. The presentation is followed by Q&A.
10:50-11:50 Presentation of the concept for the Fundamental Rights Report 2026 and thematic consultations in parallel working groups, by Nicole Romain, Head of Communications and Awareness Raising Unit, FRA and FRA experts
11:50-12:00 Summary and closing remarks