La Strada International took part in Civil Society Week, organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The event was an important moment to reflect on the role of civil society in Europe. As Séamus Boland, President of the EESC, put it, civil society organisations speak “for those who are not in the room, who didn’t even know the room exists.” La Strada International and our members work to make visible those who are too often invisible – people who are exploited, abused, and trafficked.
Throughout the week, participants widely recognised that civil society plays a crucial whatchdog role, protecting democracy and ensuring people across Europe can access their rights. At the same time, there was a shared concern that shrinking civic space is becoming an increasingly tangible reality. This is particularly troubling given that Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union commits EU institutions to “maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society.” Yet many organisations are experiencing funding cuts, reduced access to decision-making spaces, and growing online and physical threats.
LSI also joined discussions on the housing crisis and the strategies needed to address it. Without adequate housing, fundamental values are undermined. Across Europe, housing insecurity is pushing many workers, including those in essential sectors, into cramped and overcrowded accommodation with poor living conditions. Housing must become a clear EU priority. In this context, the new HOUS Committee in the European Parliament and its work towards a first Affordable Housing Plan is a development we hope can contribute to meaningful progress.
We also contributed to discussions anticipating the upcoming EU Civil Society Platform, expected before the end of the year. The Steering Group (European Commission, FRA, and Civil Society Europe) is working on the platform’s structure, size, and objectives, and is open to suggestions, recommendations, and good practices. Key questions raised included the place of organisations from candidate countries, the need for the platform to be more than a formal exchange space, and its potential role in connecting civil society to donors and philanthropic organisations.
Finally, with discussions on the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) ongoing, funding challenges were central. LSI and many other organisations stressed the need for: core and long-term funding, reduced administrative burdens, simpler application procedures, stronger support for advocacy work, and lower (or eliminated) co-funding requirements. Concerns were also raised about the potential loss of thematic focus in the next MFF and the risk that certain areas may be deprioritised.