The European Commission Places Civil Society at the Heart of Democracy

The Commission has presented its new framework for supporting civil society organizations as a key factor for the resilience of democracy and the Union's values.

In November 2025, the European Commission published a communication that sets a new starting point for strengthening democracy within the EU. At the center of this policy is the so-called "European Democracy Shield" (European Democracy Shield), a framework through which the Commission aims to strengthen key elements of democratic life: freedom of speech, freedom of the media, the integrity of elections, and citizen participation. Alongside this, the "EU Strategy for Civil Society" (EU Strategy for Civil Society) was also presented, complementing the approach by giving attention to the place of civil society organizations and their role.

The Commission's analysis notes that democratic systems in Europe are under pressure both from outside (for example, through manipulation of the information space) and from within (through the weakening of institutions, media pluralism, and civic engagement). The Commission stresses that the deep digital transformation of society brings new opportunities, but also vulnerabilities.

With the European Democracy Shield initiative, the Commission sets out three strategic priorities: first, strengthening situational awareness and response capacity within the information environment; second, reinforcing democratic institutions, media freedom and pluralism, and the integrity of elections; and third, increasing societal resilience and civic participation.

As for civil society, the EU Strategy for Civil Society places emphasis on the importance of an actively engaged and organized society as the foundation of the democratic system. This includes support for civil society organizations, a better environment for their work, and recognition of their key role in sustainable democratic development. It explicitly states that civil society is not an "add-on," but an essential component of democracy.

With regard to the information environment, the initiative includes specific measures: for example, preparing a protocol for incidents and crises related to large-scale transnational information operations and online manipulation; strengthening activities against disinformation and "foreign information manipulation and interference" (FIMI); developing an independent network of fact-checking organizations at EU level; and creating a common framework tool for access to data and technologies for information analysis.

With regard to elections and the democratic process, the Commission plans to strengthen cooperation with member states, update the "DSA Election Toolkit," and prepare guidance on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in electoral processes. Media freedom and pluralism are also placed at the center: the Commission will support the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and will put in place measures on competition in the media sector aimed at diversity and independence.

It's worth noting that despite its broad scope, the EDS initiative does not introduce new legally binding obligations, but rather sets out guidelines, frameworks, and directions. The Commission itself states that existing legal mechanisms will be used and applied more actively, but the European Democracy Shield is not itself direct legislation.

The process of implementing these initiatives will require cooperation between EU institutions, member states, the media, technology platforms, civil society organizations, and the wider public.

Key Points of the EU Strategy for Civil Society

The European Commission's Strategy for Civil Society presents a new framework for how the EU intends to work with the civic sector, support it, and ensure the conditions in which it can act freely. At the heart of the document is the understanding that a vibrant, independent, and diverse civil society is a fundamental element of democracy, and that civil society organizations are a driving force behind public participation, public oversight, transparency, and the protection of fundamental rights. The strategy is built on the principle that civil society organizations must be able to operate in an open, safe, and predictable environment, one in which their involvement in the political process is meaningful, regular, and guaranteed by clear rules.

In the document, the Commission outlines three key objectives: to strengthen structured dialogue with civil society as a partner in the decision-making process; to guarantee an open, safe, and enabling space for action; and to ensure adequate, sustainable, and transparent funding. Under the first objective, the Commission will create a new Civil Society Platform, which from 2026 will operate as a permanent mechanism for dialogue and coordination on issues of democracy, the rule of law, equality, and fundamental rights. The strategy introduces common principles for working with civil society organizations, including partnership, predictability, representativeness, transparency, accessibility, and safety. These serve as a reference point for all future structures of engagement across the EU's various policy areas.

The second part of the strategy is devoted to protecting and monitoring civic space. The Commission notes that growing attacks on NGOs, restrictions in the regulatory framework, difficult access to funding, and transnational pressure are real threats to civil society actors. To respond to these trends, the Commission envisages early-warning measures, an online "knowledge hub" for monitoring civic space, training for magistrates, stronger mechanisms against SLAPP lawsuits, and coordinated tools to protect organizations and human rights defenders at risk. These actions are combined with the EU's financial framework for the 2028-2034 period, where the AgoraEU program, with an indicative budget of nearly 9 billion euros, concentrates support for culture, media, and the civic sector, providing a stable foundation for their development, participation, and sustainability.

Significance for Bulgarian NGOs

For Bulgaria's civil sector, the Commission's new strategy means several important changes worth paying attention to. First, it more clearly recognizes the role of NGOs as a key partner, not merely a beneficiary. The new Civil Society Platform will facilitate dialogue on protecting and promoting EU values. This means NGOs have the opportunity to take a more active part in shaping policy, not just implementing projects.

Second, there is an increase in funding for the civic sector through the new AgoraEU program (with a planned amount of 9 billion euros under the new multiannual financial framework). For Bulgarian NGOs, this means a chance to access resources that may have previously been difficult to reach, but also a requirement to come prepared with their own ideas and initiatives.

Third, the focus on a "sustainable and transparent funding framework" means European funds will be directed toward conditions in which NGOs' work is more transparent, more sustainable (not just short-term funding), and the regulatory framework and environment for their work is improved. This could unlock opportunities for longer-term planning, advocacy, and greater autonomy.

Expectations for Support Through AgoraEU and What NGOs Can Do

Gaining access to the AgoraEU program is a key element of the strategy and is especially promising. Funding of 9 billion euros is significant and signals that the Commission intends to treat civil society organizations as strategic partners. For civil society organizations, this means:

• an opportunity to take part in transnational partnerships and work in a European context;

• a chance to build capacity on sensitive issues such as media freedom, transparency, digital civic participation, and the protection of civic space;

• a need to demonstrate they can meet standards of sustainability, quality, accountability, and even multi-sector and multi-thematic partnerships (between NGOs, academia, media, and technology partners).

• it's important to prepare with strong monitoring and evaluation systems, with clearly defined goals, indicators, and impact, since the Commission's framework places emphasis on results and measurability.

• the strategy also envisages "emergency support" mechanisms and protection for organizations under pressure.

• participation in dialogues, consultations, and conversations with institutions, as by 2026 the platform will offer structured dialogue where the voice of the civic sector will be heard.