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OPINION (2023/2122(INI))

On the transparency and accountability of non-governmental organisations funded from the EU budget

AFET-AD-752946

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Deirdre Clune

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The Committee on Foreign Affairs suggests amendments to the Committee on Budgetary Control's motion for a resolution on transparency and accountability of EU-funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs). It stresses NGOs' role in human rights and democracy, and the risks they face. It calls for transparent information on beneficiaries of EU external action funds, while protecting human rights defenders in repressive countries. It wants EU funds to stop going to organisations that do not respect EU values. It demands transparency on migration-related funding to third countries and independent human rights impact assessments. It wants the Financial Transparency System improved and identical transparency rules for all NGOs receiving EU funds. It denounces government-organised NGOs spreading disinformation and warns about foreign funding of EU-based NGOs. It calls for stricter enforcement of the EU Transparency Register, more resources for it, and sanctions for false declarations.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs suggests amendments to the Committee on Budgetary Control's motion for a resolution. It stresses NGOs' role in human rights and democracy, calls for transparent EU funding while protecting those at risk, and demands stricter enforcement of the EU Transparency Register.

Key points

  1. The committee calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control to incorporate its suggestions into the motion for a resolution.
  2. It commends the essential role of NGOs and civil society organisations (CSOs) in promoting human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and fighting corruption.
  3. It highlights the serious risks faced by human rights NGO workers, including threats, harassment, arbitrary detention, violence, and killings.
  4. It is alarmed that some third-country governments adopt legislation to shrink civil society space, imposing discriminatory obligations on human rights NGOs and restricting their funding.
  5. It underlines the need for transparent information on beneficiaries of EU external action funds, while ensuring confidentiality and data protection for those at risk.
  6. It welcomes the cessation of EU funding to organisations whose actions were contrary to EU values and calls on the Commission to ensure EU funds do not finance such organisations.
  7. It calls for full transparency on EU and member state funds to third countries for migration cooperation, with independent ex ante human rights impact assessments and monitoring disclosed to Parliament.
  8. It calls on the Commission to improve the clarity of the Financial Transparency System (FTS) and to apply identical transparency and accountability obligations to all NGOs and interest representatives receiving EU funding.
  9. It calls for harmonised but flexible approaches to make EU funding for human rights and democracy support more visible, while avoiding risks to NGOs in precarious contexts.
  10. It denounces government-organised NGOs (GONGOs) spreading disinformation and warns that foreign funding of EU-based NGOs may expose them to malign external influences.
  11. It welcomes progress on the EU Transparency Register, notes that since 12 July 2023 invited guests at Parliament events must be registered, and calls for an assessment of new measures to avoid unintended limitations on fundamental rights.
  12. It calls for stricter enforcement of the EU Transparency Register, increased budget and staff for it, and Commission proposals to enhance transparency of interest representation, including sanctions for false declarations.

Who is affected

  • NGOs and CSOs receiving EU funds, especially in human rights and democracy support, face transparency and accountability requirements.
  • Human rights defenders and NGOs in repressive non-EU countries risk exposure if their data is published; confidentiality must be ensured.
  • Third countries receiving EU migration cooperation funds must undergo human rights impact assessments and monitoring.
  • EU institutions, especially the Commission and Parliament, are asked to improve transparency, enforcement, and resources for the EU Transparency Register.
  • Small CSOs based outside Europe face bureaucratic burdens from EU Transparency Register registration; the committee calls for support and proportionality.

Figures and deadlines

  • 8 March 2022: resolution on the shrinking space for civil society in Europe.
  • 16 May 2022: Commission proposal for a regulation on financial rules (COM(2022)0223).
  • 13 September 2023: Parliament amended its Rules of Procedure on integrity, independence and accountability.
  • 12 July 2023: date from which invited guests at Parliament events must be registered in the EU Transparency Register.
  • 1 June 2023: resolution on foreign interference in EU democratic processes.
  • 13 July 2023: resolution on recommendations for reform of Parliament's rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption.

Legal basis: Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and Article 15 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU); Article 300(1) TFEU.