European Economic
and Social Committee
Liaison Group Newsletter June 2025
Dear colleagues, friends and representatives of civil society,
This month marked a significant moment as we held the final full meeting of the Liaison Group for the current mandate, my last as co-chair after six years, and that of EESC President Oliver Röpke after two and a half years of dedicated service. While this meeting closes a chapter for us, it also opens an important reflection on the future of the Liaison Group.
From its inception as a unique institutionalised space for civil dialogue, the Liaison Group has grown in number of members, yet not fully achieving its mission. This month, we were pleased to welcome two new members, Democracy International and the European Network Against Racism, bringing us to a total of 47 European umbrella civil society organisations.
Looking ahead, we must continue to strengthen our role by focusing on what truly defines our added value: making the EESC more representative, capitalising on our collective expertise and mobilising around common causes. Building strategic alliances and reinforcing solidarity among our diverse actors will be essential in the months and years to come.
A central topic of our discussions was the next EU budget. We underlined the urgent need for it to serve as an investment in our fragile democracies. As part of this, we shared a video statement in solidarity with civil society organisations under threat from forces that fear the values of democracy, diversity and inclusion. A socially just, inclusive and diverse Europe must be defended, and that starts with supporting those who represent the most marginalised voices in our societies.
We view with deep concern the European Parliament’s recent decision to set up a working group on NGO funding—an initiative driven by far-right narratives aiming to delegitimise and control, not empower, civil society. This comes despite the European Commission confirming the funding is lawful, transparent, and fully aligned with EU objectives. Treaty Article 11 clearly states that the Union must provide means for civil society to engage in policymaking.
What began as an attack on environmental NGOs, falsely accused of unduly influencing the Green Deal, has broadened into persecution of NGOs unrelated to transparency. If this were truly about transparency, why focus only on NGOs, who receive less than 5% of the EU budget? This is clearly an attempt to weaken those fighting for a social and just Europe - and a calculated distraction from real societal and environmental challenges, serving those now turning away from the Green Deal. By fuelling mistrust through manufactured scandals and disinformation, they undermine democratic accountability and civic participation - exactly what anti-European and authoritarian regimes aim to achieve.
We must stand against this, firmly and united. NGOs, though under-resourced, mobilise millions across society and, when called to action, are a powerful force - capable of resisting and emerging even stronger from such attacks.
In June, we will also launch our dialogue cycle on Building the Capacity of Civil Society, an initiative aimed at developing a new reflection paper to inspire both the EESC and other EU institutions as they move forward with open public consultations launched by the European Commission on a European Civil Society Strategy.
Now is not the time to draw lines or define territories, we know too well where that leads. The war in Ukraine and the unfolding tragedy in Palestine are grim reminders of the consequences of division and exclusion. In contrast, civil society must stand united, in its diversity, its differences and its shared commitment to human dignity and democratic values.
The road ahead demands our energy, our focus and, above all, our solidarity. Citizens across Europe and beyond are counting on us to protect their rights and shape a future rooted in inclusion, peace and justice.
In gratitude and commitment,
Brikena XHOMAQI
Co-Chair of the Liaison Group