Every voice matters: experiences in citizen engagement at local level

The aim of the workshop was to present the EU Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme and the EEA and Norway Grants' Active Citizens Fund (ACF) – two of the largest funds for democracy and fundamental rights in Europe, as well as to promote successful initiatives in Poland and Bulgaria funded by these two programmes.
One hundred fifteen participants, including representatives from local and regional authorities, NGOs and the business community, listened to and interacted with the panel composed by four speakers.
Maria Tomassetti, Head of Unit in DG JUST, and Ragna Fidjestøl, Managing Director of the EEA and Norway Grants, underscored the significant role played by the CERV programme and the Active Citizens Fund respectively in empowering civil society and promoting active citizenship across Europe. Magda Krasowska-Igras and Iliyana Nikolova, representatives of two organisations benefiting from both funds, highlighted the challenges faced by civil society in Poland and Bulgaria and shared some of the civic initiatives funded through the programmes to address those challenges. The discussion was moderated by Valeria Setti, Deputy Head of Unit in DG JUST.
Highlights
 In Europe, factors such as political and legal environments not conducive to an open civic space, or the rise of populism, limit the capacity of civil society organisations to promote and defend fundamental rights and democratic values.
 The support provided by the CERV programme and the Active Citizens Fund through funding, capacity building, and knowledge sharing is crucial for civil society organisations to drive and sustain the change needed in their communities, particularly at local level and in remote areas.
 In a context of shrinking civic space and democratic backsliding, reaching out to small, grassroot organisations with funding and capacity development support is even more crucial.
 Non-governmental organisations in Poland often struggle to preserve their independence and further their mission, while seeking to innovate and diversifying their funding sources.
 In Bulgaria, Russian-driven propaganda represents a threat to democracy and EU values. The recent proposal for a "foreign agent" law would require organisations, artists, journalists, or bloggers receiving foreign funding to register as "foreign agents" and prohibit them from working in state universities, commenting on political events, or participating in government-funded projects.