03/11/2025
Across Europe, democracy is under unprecedented pressure. Inequality, disinformation, democratic backsliding and global instability are putting the very fabric of our institutions under strain. Citizens’ trust in politics is eroding at the same time civil society organisations tasked to hold power accountable and provide expertise in the general interest are closing their shops after being defunded.
This support is all the more urgent given that the Commission’s draft budget has sparked fierce disagreement within several mainstream political groups, which want to scale back the Commission’s ambitions and limit the scope of its draft budget and are threatening not to enter into negotiations. The budget proposed by the Commission must therefore be seen as a minimum threshold to meet Europe’s growing democratic needs at a time when civic spaces are under pressure and trust in institutions is eroding.
What is the AgoraEU programme?
The AgoraEU programme is the European Union’s investment in democracy, a bold initiative aimed at strengthening civil society, independent media and culture as pillars of democratic resilience.
AgoraEU envisions a European civic space that enables citizens to participate meaningfully in policy-making and hold public authorities to account. By supporting advocacy, monitoring, civic education and citizen participation, the programme aims to ensure that democracy in Europe is not limited to elections, but is based on continuous, informed and inclusive citizen engagement.
Empowering the defenders of democracy
Strong democracies depend not only on institutions, but also on the civil society ecosystem that surrounds them. From defending the rule of law and human rights to combating disinformation and promoting social inclusion, civil society organisations are the beating heart of democracy.
Yet, as the European Civic Forum briefing points out, these actors remain underfunded and under threat. Funding applications for projects under existing European programmes are oversubscribed by 80-90%. Many initiatives, particularly small-scale or rural ones, simply cannot access the resources they need to survive.
AgoraEU seeks to change this by offering flexible, long-term funding for organisations that defend European values, ensuring that advocacy and participation are recognised as legitimate and essential forms of civic engagement.
Working together for a fairer and more democratic Europe
At The Good Lobby, we believe that democracy thrives when citizens, activists and organisations have the tools and knowledge they need to influence decision-making in an ethical and effective way.
That’s why we are proud to champion AgoraEU and consider this initiative essential for a more participatory, transparent and fair Europe.
We work every day to bridge the gap between citizens and power by educating, connecting and empowering citizens and civil society to defend the public interest. The AgoraEU programme fits perfectly with this mission by recognising civil society as a strategic partner in protecting democracy, not only as a beneficiary of policies, but also as an active participant in their development.
We join our partners in urging EU policymakers to:
- Support the total budget of €8.58 billion for AgoraEU and €3.6 billion for CERV+ as a baseline for Europe’s democratic investment.
- Recognise advocacy and civic participation as legitimate, protected and fundable democratic activities.
- Simplify access to funding for grassroots organisations and create an EU protection mechanism for threatened human rights defenders and civic actors.
Democracy cannot stand on its own and must be constantly nurtured, defended and renewed, especially in times of crisis. AgoraEU opens up a path for collective investment in Europe’s democratic infrastructure. In line with this ambition, The Good Lobby is committed to supporting Agora and working towards a Europe where every citizen participates fully in building the common good.