In a debate with Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, the EESC warned about ongoing efforts to silence, discredit and weaken those who stand up for democracy, social justice and fundamental rights, and expressed its readiness to join forces with the Commission to protect Europe’s civil society and fight polarisation

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is ready to play a hands-on role in the European Commission’s future Civil Society Strategy, which is being prepared to strengthen democracy and civic space and unite divided communities across the EU. With growing attacks on civil society groups and independent media, the EESC is committed to pushing back and helping protect the foundations of a free and open society.

‘The EESC stands firm in its commitment to defend, protect and empower civil society. As the House of European Civil Society, we will not be passive observers. We will actively push back against efforts to weaken civic space. We will advocate for stronger support, better protection and greater recognition of civil society’s role in strengthening our democracies,’ stressed EESC president Oliver Röpke at the EESC plenary session on 27 March, which hosted a high-level debate on depolarising societies with Commissioner McGrath.

Mr Röpke said that NGOs and grassroots movements were increasingly grappling with democratic backsliding, restrictive legislation, smear campaigns and strategic lawsuits which are intended to silence dissent and are part of a broader effort to discredit and weaken those who advocate for democracy, social justice and fundamental rights.

Referring to the recent accusations against environmental NGOs made by some MEPs, Mr Röpke warned that it was particularly alarming that the attacks were not only coming from outside our institutions: in some cases, they were coming from inside them.

Commissioner McGrath said that the EESC was uniquely placed to make a very valuable contribution to the Commission’s efforts to strengthen democracy and bridge divisions in society. He felt that the best way to tackle polarisation was by empowering Europeans and making them feel represented: ‘If we achieve this, we will succeed in bringing our communities, societies and Union closer together. Whatever we do, we know that the engagement of civil society organisations will continue to be crucial.’

The new EU Civil Society Strategy, announced in the Commission’s 2025 work programme, will support, protect and empower civil society organisations and human rights defenders.

The plenary debate also put forward the key takeaways from the EESC’s Civil Society Week 2025, which took place under the banner Strengthening cohesion and participation in polarised societies. Speakers included Brikena Xhomaqi, Co-chair of the Liaison Group who presented the Week’s key demands, Civil Society Prize winner Richard Vaško of the Slovak Debate Association and youth activist Kristýna Bulvasová, who presented the main recommendations from the EESC’s annual youth event, Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS).(ll)