19/11/2025
On 17 November, The Good Lobby, together with 30 other civil society organisations, co-signed a joint letter addressed to the S&D Group, Renew Europe, the Greens/EFA and The Left in the European Parliament urging progressive political groups to maintain their political boycott of the newly created Scrutiny Working Group on NGOs (SWG).
Background
After years of campaign against NGOs, the European People’s Party (EPP) supported by far-right groups in the EU Parliament prompted unprecedented scrutiny over NGOs operating across Europe and engaging with the EU institutions. These campaigns targeted NGOs by raising suspicions about the source and legitimacy of their funding. However, the ensuing in-depth review conducted during last year’s discharge procedure, as well as the audit carried out by the European Court of Auditors, found no evidence of wrongdoing, misuse of EU funds or irregularities.
Yet a dedicated working group (SWG) was established, and that despite unanimous opposition from progressive parties. This separate oversight body targeting NGOs is unnecessary, redundant, and risks legitimising current attacks on civil society while undermining existing treaty-based procedures. As such it poses a serious threat to democratic standards and the role of civil society.
Our call for a boycott of SWG
By joining this letter, The Good Lobby reaffirms its commitment to defending civic space and democratic accountability. Civil society is essential to a healthy democracy and must not be used as a political scapegoat.
Read the full letter