On 6 September 2023, Civil Society Europe launched its Civil Society State of the Union report (CS SOTEU). The CS SOTEU comprises the visions and recommendations of 43 civil society organisations for a more democratic and just EU, both socially and environmentally.

Le rapport est le fruit de plusieurs mois de collaboration entre une large coalition d'organisations de la société civile actives au niveau de l'UE, dont l'ALDA, et il est adressé à l'UE et à ses États membres.

In early February 2023, CSE launched a new working group dedicated to following up on the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE). This Working Group (WG) is dedicated to supporting civil society and citizens’ participation in EU democracy. In doing so, the WG is continuing the collaborative and ambitious work accomplished within the Civil Society Convention for the Conference on the Future of Europe (CSOCoFoE) in 2021-2022.

The WG has been divided in thematic subgroups, chaired by one or two CSOs, and they developed the different chapters of the report, covering topics such as democracy, fundamental rights, civic space, EU’s external policies, migration and asylum, freedom of movement, social rights and justice, climate change and other environmental challenges, digital transformation, and human security.

Our coalition calls for EU decision makers to make civic space and civil dialogue central topics in the 2024 European elections, and demands that the future European Parliament and European Commission take real, meaningful steps during the next five years to better recognise, protect and engage civil society at all levels.

Overview of the chapters of the report: 

1. Renforcer la démocratie, les droits fondamentaux et l'espace civique dans l'UE et dans le monde
2. Renforcer la liberté de circulation et la solidarité pour une société européenne plus inclusive
3. Une UE socialement juste
4. Lutter contre les effets du changement climatique et relever les défis environnementaux (mondiaux)
5. Une transformation digitale qui ne laisse personne de côté dans l'UE
6. Protéger l'avenir de la société européenne grâce à des politiques de sécurité centrées sur l'homme

ALDA co-chaired with the European Civic Forum (ECF) the chapter I on EU democracy, rule of law, values, and EU in the world. 

L'ALDA et la coalition d'OSC ont une vision de l'Union européenne en tant que démocratie dynamique, où les citoyens participent activement aux processus de prise de décision et ont confiance en leurs institutions. Nous envisageons une UE qui défend l'État de droit, protège les droits fondamentaux et promeut l'égalité et la cohésion sociale.

Since the CoFoE, there have been significant developments that have shaped the landscape of EU democracy and values. The Civil Society Convention (CSOCoFoE)’s report, citizens’ panels, and a preliminary evaluation of the Commission’s post-CoFoE proposals have provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities we face. However, it is equally important to address non-developments, areas where progress has been stagnant or insufficient, to identify areas that require urgent attention and action; and this is what this Report attempts to do. 

During the public launch event for the Report, not only involved CSOs were present, but the agenda also welcomed a panel discussion with remarks by Professor Maria do Céu Patrão Neves, Vice-Chair of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies, Mr. Giacomo Filibeck, Executive Secretary General of the Party of European Socialists, and Ms. Ingrid Bellander Todino, Head of Unit, Fundamental Rights, DG JUST; all of them provided different perspectives to the same issues at stake, shedding light on new inputs for discussion with the audience. 

Lire le rapport complet en format digital ici. 

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