Source: European Parliament
The Commission does not have specific data on the number of civil society organisations supported by EU funding involved in the Commission’s policymaking processes as advisors, project partners or stakeholders since 2018.
The Commission’s approach follows the principles of better regulation[1] and ensures that policymaking is transparent, inclusive and based on sound analysis, minimising the risk of undue influence from any group or interest.
The Commission seeks to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organisations to gather diverse perspectives and expertise to improve its policymaking.
The Commission is not aware of EU-funded organisations with ‘targeted narratives against populist, migration-critical or conservative positions’. The recipients of EU grants remain fully and solely responsible for their own views.
The Commission closely monitors the implementation of projects. In case of misconduct such as a serious breach of obligations and grave professional misconduct, including lack of respect of EU values, the Commission may suspend or terminate the grant agreement, in line with the contractual provisions[2] and the Financial Regulation[3].
The Commission issued guidance[4], clarifying which activities should not be mandated as a condition for EU financing. Support for activities related to policy development and implementation, including enhancing the involvement of civil society organisations, remains an important and legitimate funding objective, as designed by the co-legislators in the relevant legislation.
- [1] https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-making-process/better-regulation/better-regulation-guidelines-and-toolbox_en.
- [2] See for example the Justice Programme Model Grant Agreement: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/just/agr-contr/general-mga_just_en.pdf.
- [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202402509.
- [4] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/guidance-funding-dev-impl-monit-enforce-of-eu-law_en.pdf.