Press release
Threats to Civil society - EU strategy a welcome step but offers few real solutions, lawyers warn
12 November 2025
ClientEarth lawyers welcome the EU’s new Civil Society Strategy as an important signal of intent - but say it fails to match the gravity of the threats facing Europe’s democracy.
The EU Commission strategy released today comes at a time when civic space is under unprecedented attack both on EU level and in the Member States, with alarming restrictions, intimidation, and political pressure mounting against civil society organisations (CSOs).
Lawyers welcome :
- The Strategy’s recognition that a vibrant civil society and enabling, safe and supportive civic space lie at the core of European democracy;
- The clear confirmation that EU funds are meant to finance civil society’s involvement in EU policy-making and that strong safeguards are in place to prevent misuse of EU funds - unequivocally contradicting recent media reports suggesting the opposite;
- the establishment of a new Civil Society Platform and the formulation of 10 guiding principles for dialogue with civil society.
ClientEarth lead lawyer Sebastian Bechtel said :
“This Strategy is an important step but it will only worth the paper it is written on if the Commission follows its own recommendations. Unfortunately, in recent decision-making processes, the Commission has not respected its own Better regulation principles and has excluded civil society from key consultations - a matter that ClientEarth has brought before the European Ombudsman. The Commission must now reverse course on these increasingly restrictive practices.”
Last week, ClientEarth’s released a report, “Threats to Civic Space: Why We Need to Act Now”, highlighting the numerous threats against civil society and detailing concrete recommendations on how to protect civic space in the EU.
ClientEarth report shows that across Europe, CSOs are facing:
• Legal and political restrictions - from Hungary’s “foreign agent” laws to Italy’s “Ecovandalism law”.
• Intimidation, surveillance, and smear campaigns, including against environmental groups in Germany and France.
• Funding pressures, including threats to cut the LIFE Programme, the EU’s only dedicated fund for environmental and climate action supporting NGOs. These cuts risk collapsing much of the environmental NGO community - leaving the way open for projects harmful to people and the planet.
Bechtel added:
“Civil society is facing unprecedented attacks - and without stronger protection, Europe’s democratic safeguards are at risk. The Strategy is far from sufficient to shield organisations from the coordinated efforts to dismantle them - and with them, hard-won environmental and social protections. If Europe fails civil society, it fails democracy itself.”
Lawyers are calling on the Commission to take actions going beyond the Strategy, in line with ClientEarth’s recent report to ensure :
- A strong, pro-CSO narrative recognising civil society as a cornerstone of democracy, not an obstacle to policymaking.
- Transparent, fair, and equitable access to decision-making, ensuring all voices - including critical ones - are heard.
- Protection for environmental and human rights defenders and whistleblowers, who increasingly face threats and intimidation.
- Sustained support for civic space, enabling CSOs to continue defending people, the planet, and public health.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- ClientEarth report “Threats to Civic Space: Why We Need to Act Now”
- ClientEarth response to attacks on EU support to NGOs
Some key figures from the ClientEarth report:
- EU : Between 2010 and 2023, 1,049 SLAPP cases were filed in Europe, disproportionately targeting environmental defenders.
- EU: The LIFE programme represents operating grants for environmental CSOs amounting to EUR 15.6 million per year representing only 0.006% of the EU’s total annual budget. Meanwhile, the 50 largest economic actors collectively have EUR 190 million euros at their disposal for lobbying (according to the 2023 transparency register).
- Recent research by Transparency International highlights this disparity: corporate lobbyists account for 67% of all meetings with the European Commission, while NGOs make up only 16%, demonstrating the significant imbalance in access and influence
- Worldwide : 2,253 land and environmental defenders were killed or disappeared between 2012 and 2024 - including 146 people in 2024 alone.
- As of September 2025, the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders had received 95 complaints since the establishment of his mandate in 2022. 79 were determined to be admissible and proceeded to the next steps in the complaints processing procedure.
CSO protection in law:
- Article 11 Treaty on the European Union (TEU): inclusive participation in all areas of EU action and open dialogue with civil society.
- Aarhus Convention: access to information, participation and justice in environmental matters.
- EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: freedoms of assembly, expression and association
About ClientEarth
ClientEarth is a non-profit organisation that uses the law to create systemic change that protects the Earth for – and with – its inhabitants. We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. We hold industry and governments to account and defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. ClientEarth teams in Europe, Asia and the USA work to shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together.