The workshop will examine the possible sources of support - financial, political, organizational - for civil society initiatives, looking on the one hand at the role of donors and possible sources of grant aid and on the other hand at the role of EU level civil society platforms and pro-democracy organisations. The discussions will consider ways in which joint action can assist civil society in responding to the fragilisation of democracy at national level.

It tends to be taken for granted that civil society will provide a bulwark against extremism in EU. However, the pressures which are driving a polarisation in society and causing a flight towards populist pipe dreams are also dividing families and friends. Civil society may indeed find itself be weakened as a force for tolerance and solidarity in Europe. In countries like Hungary, CSOs have a lonely struggle to survive and protect their integrity. The refugee crisis has diverted many CSO energies and resources towards humanitarian ends. Continuing austerity in most countries has also seriously reduced grant aid and sponsorship for civil society activity.

Facilitator: Luben Panov, Program Consultant at the European Center for Not-for-profit Law (Bulgaria)

Opening presentation:   Julie Broome, Director of Ariadne - European Funders for Social Change and Human Rights (UK)

Discussants:

Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of the European Association for Local Democracy (France)

Assya Kavrakova, Director of the European Citizen Action Service (Belgium)

Ilina Nesijk, Programme and Communication Manager at Balkan Civil Society Development Network (Macedonia)

Carlotta Besozzi, Coordinator of Civil Society Europe (Belgium)

Katarzyna Mortoń, International coordinator at the Committee for the Defence of Democracy (Poland)

Israel Butler,  Advocacy consultant to the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Belgium/UK)

Denisa Ionescu, Secretary General of the European Network of National Civil Society Associations (Belgium)