As part of the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN), the EU LAT Network has reacted to the European Commission proposal of a new regulation under the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), calling for clearer commitments and dedicated funding for human rights, democracy, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
While HRDN welcomes the continued prioritization of these values, concerns remain about the lack of earmarked funding in the merged geographic and global pillars of the new regulation. Without pre-allocated, predictable funding, there’s a risk that support for these fundamental areas will be undermined by competing political and budgetary pressures.
In that sense, HRDN calls on the EU Commission, Parliament, and Member States to:
i. Ensure a stand-alone, well-resourced allocation to human rights, democracy, and CSOs, to maintain and expand the prioritisation of these thematic areas in suit of NDICI-Global Europe;
ii. Strengthen and expand direct, flexible funding to grassroots and frontline civil society actors, particularly those working on human rights & democracy, both through short term crisis response as well as long-term core funding;
iii. Legally guarantee CSO participation in all stages of EU external programming.