11/03/2026
The Good Lobby is among more than 270 civil society organisations, trade unions, environmental groups and public-interest organisations that have formally invited European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to attend a Civil Society “Antwerp Summit” on 17 March in Brussels, just ahead of the next meeting of the European Council. The initiative comes in response to growing concerns about the EU’s current push for “simplification” and deregulation, which many organisations warn could weaken protections for people, democracy and the planet.
A seat at the table
The invitation follows a high-profile industry gathering in Antwerp last month, where corporate leaders met with EU policymakers to discuss competitiveness and regulatory priorities.
Civil society organisations argue that if industry enjoys direct access to decision-makers ahead of key political moments, those representing citizens, workers and communities should be heard too.
“If industry can shape Europe’s regulatory agenda from the front row, civil society must not be confined to the sidelines,” said Professor Alberto Alemanno, founder of The Good Lobby. “A healthy democracy requires that the voices defending people, rights and the planet are taken seriously.”
Challenging the “simplification” myth
The coalition, of which The Good Lobby is one of the initiators, is also challenging the narrative that EU regulations are a major economic burden. Research cited by campaigners suggests that administrative compliance costs may represent as little as 0.1% of EU GDP.
According to the signatories, weakening environmental, social and digital protections for such marginal savings risks becoming less an economic strategy than a transfer of costs from polluting industries to society.
The Antwerp Counter-Declaration
The invitation is backed by the Antwerp Counter-Declaration: Standing up for rules that protect democracy, people and planet, signed by more than 270 organisations across Europe. The declaration warns against fast-tracked “omnibus” deregulation packages adopted without proper impact assessments or consultation, arguing that such approaches risk sidelining civil society and weakening democratic safeguards.
With the next European Council meeting approaching, the coalition is calling on President von der Leyen to engage directly with civil society – and ensure that EU policymaking reflects not only industry demands, but the interests of Europe’s 450 million citizens.