By the EESC's Diversity Europe Group

On 12 March, the Diversity Europe Group will host a hybrid conference on Civil Society Organisations during and after COVID-19: what challenges and what future. The event will see the launch of the EESC study The response of civil society organisations to the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent restrictive measures adopted in Europe, as well as topical debates with high-level speakers and civil society representatives.

The study, commissioned by the EESC at the request of the Diversity Europe Group, highlights the activities of civil society organisations (CSOs) in assisting local communities and vulnerable groups to deal with the pandemic. Quantitative and qualitative data on their activities are presented through case studies.

The authors applied a mixed method combining desk-based research and an in-depth online survey. The study highlights key topics for the future of CSOs, such as the lack of stable funding streams, legal frameworks and adequate resources and skillsets, which will require future reflection and bold political decisions to make sure that CSOs' capacities are maintained and strengthened in the post-COVID-19 recovery phase. During the conference, the authors of the study will present their main findings and recommendations.

Subsequent discussions with high-level speakers and civil society representatives will focus on the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable groups of people, how civil society organisations have helped these vulnerable groups, initiatives taken by CSOs to review how they handled the crisis and the ways in which they will contribute to reconstruction and to sustainable post-COVID-19 communities.

More information on the event is available at: https://europa.eu/!PG36rF (jk)