02/02/2026
The Good Lobby joined over 250 NGOs in calling on the European Commission to support meaningful cross-border collaboration for non-profit organisations across the EU.
This open letter promoted by Civil Society Europe reacts to the Commission’s proposal withdrawing the European Cross-Border Association (ECBA) Directive from its 2026 work programme, despite overwhelming support from the European Parliament and decades of advocacy by civil society.
The ECBA Directive is a forward-looking legislative initiative that would create a new legal form, the European Cross-Border Association, giving non-profit organisations with members and activities in several Member States legal status at EU level. This would enable them to be recognised and operate across borders without the unnecessary legal and administrative barriers that currently fragment the work of civil society in Europe.
Such a framework would unlock the potential of non-profit organisations to collaborate more effectively across the EU and strengthen their contribution to the economy, social cohesion and democratic participation, while formally recognising this sector for the first time in EU law.
By signing this letter, we join a broad coalition of organisations calling on President von der Leyen and the Commission to reverse their decision to withdraw the directive and give civil society the opportunity to realise its full transnational potential.
Together with our partners, we will continue to advocate for policies that enable organisations to work freely across the EU, build bridges between communities and strengthen democratic life for all Europeans.
Full open letter