This International Day of Democracy, September 15th, civil society calls on EU leaders to take decisive actions to foster a vibrant civic space, uphold democracy and safeguard fundamental rights. SolidarityNow co-signed the open letter alongside 416 organizations which outlines concrete actions to promote democracy, enable, support and protect civil society, strengthen civil dialogue and protect human rights amid growing concerns over the erosion of democracy in the EU.

Specifically, it calls for prioritising: 

1. A European Civil Society Strategy
2. A strong mandate for a Commission Vice President responsible for democracy, civic space and civil dialogue
3. The adoption of a Civil Dialogue Agreement
4. Empowering funding policies
5. A European Democracy Semester
6. A stronger role of the Fundamental Rights Agency

The open letter #EUCivicSpaceNow is addressed to the upcoming Polish, Danish, and Cypriot Presidencies of the Council of the European Union, as well as the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament.