Joint Statement: A strong civic space needs strong youth organisations!

These attacks undermine the legitimacy and importance of civil society organisations, especially youth organisations, engaged in democratic participation, and are a threat to a wide range of associations and NGOs. The work of political youth organisations, NGOs, CSOs and other youth platforms represents a cornerstone of the democratic values of the European Union, which policymakers at all levels should work to strengthen and uphold, recognising the role of youth organisations in fostering civic engagement and democratic participation of young people.

Discrediting the lawful and transparent work of CSOs and its contribution to European democracy carries great danger, as it triggers potential targeted attacks. We have seen it recently in the European Parliament through an ECR-led proposed amendment to the 2023 budget discharge, in which the Young European Federalists (JEF) have been singled out and the relevance of their work has been explicitly smeared. We stand in solidarity with JEF, defend the relevance of their contribution to European democracy, and call on the EU institutions and their elected officials to reject and condemn this attack.

A strong civic space requires sustainable and inclusive funding for youth organisations. Youth organisations empower young people by providing learning opportunities, upskilling them with running an organisation or volunteering, enabling participation in democracy, and representing their voices in decision-making processes and spaces at all levels.

The European Youth Forum has consistently warned that the widespread reliance on project-based funding and the lack of institutional and core funding hinder youth organisations from operating consistently and independently. Besides tackling this pending challenge and providing stability to youth organisations and other actors of the organised civic space at the European level, transparency in the use of public funds should not come at the expense of recognising the value of youth organisations’ activities. A thriving associative network is key to ensure the relevance and long-lasting impact of youth organisations in European democracy. Well-funded and sustainable organisations representative of all the sectors of civil society bring expert support to young Europeans that take part in youth-led actions and projects, and enrich youth-led proposals and activities.

The current trend we see across the EU poses the risk of vilifying NGOs and putting their financial resources at risk, with the EU seemingly advancing in the opposite direction of ensuring sustainable and transparent funding mechanisms, which are essential to reduce dependency, strengthen impact, and ensure that youth organisations can effectively serve young people.

At a time when democratic values are under threat, we call on European institutions and political actors to:

Condemn attacks on civil society organisations and safeguard their right to operate freely, particularly through ensuring that the European institutions do not contribute to defunding of CSOs and political youth organisations, including by questioning their legitimacy or attempting to discredit them.

Respect all voters’ right to participate in and receive information about electoral processes.

Uphold the contribution of CSOs and youth organisations, including political youth organisations, to European democracy, and acknowledge their contribution to strengthening the connection between institutions and European citizens.

Ensure sustainable and inclusive funding for youth organisations and other organisations representative of the European civil society, so that they can fulfill their role as legitimate representative voices of young people in a thriving and pluralistic civic environment.

Reduce administrative and structural barriers which prevent youth organisations and other organisations representative of the European civil society from accessing funding, while ensuring compliance with the European Union rules on public grants.

Guarantee transparency and accountability in the management of public funding, without targeting individual organisations.

Formally recognise independent, democratic, and youth-led CSOs as the elected representatives of young people, ensuring their voices are institutionally respected, and their demands are properly taken into account.

Create transparent and structural consultation processes requiring governments and European institutions to engage with youth-led CSOs in policymaking.

Provide long-term financial support to ensure youth organisations do not rely solely on short-term project funding, which is unsustainable and does not allow for long-term planning.

Youth organisations are essential actors in democracy, enabling young people to actively engage in decision-making processes and uphold democratic values. If they lack sustainable funding and institutional support, youth participation is weakened, and the quality of democratic engagement of young people is reduced.

We urge the European institutions and national governments to protect civil society, empower youth political groups, invest in youth organisations, and uphold the democratic principles on which the European project is built.

Signed,

Joint Statement: A strong civic space needs strong youth organisations!

At a time when democratic values are under threat, we call on European institutions and political actors to:

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