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OPINION (COM(2025)0550 – C10-0173/2025 – 2025/0550(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the 'AgoraEU' programme for the period 2028-2034, and repealing Regulations (EU) 2021/692 and (EU) 2021/818

FEMM-AD-784251

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality · Rapporteur: Mélissa Camara

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The Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality gives its opinion on the proposed AgoraEU programme for 2028-2034, which would replace existing funding instruments in democracy, fundamental rights and equality. It warns of backsliding on the rule of law and on the rights of women, LGBTIQ persons and minorities, and says civil society organisations play an essential counterbalancing role. It asks that the legacy of the CERV programme and its Daphne strand against violence against women and girls be preserved, with continuity, adequate resources and clear political commitment. It says consolidating existing instruments under AgoraEU must not dilute equality and fundamental rights priorities. It calls for gender equality, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, to be a structuring objective, for predictable multiannual operating grants, for accessible funding for grassroots actors, and for an intersectional approach. It argues the EU's human rights credibility abroad depends on upholding those rights internally, and that AgoraEU must be designed as an instrument of democratic consolidation.

Committee position. The committee proposes that AgoraEU explicitly recognise gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights as a structuring objective, guarantee predictable multiannual operating grants, make funding accessible to grassroots actors, and integrate an intersectional approach, while preserving the CERV and Daphne legacy.

Key points

  1. The opinion concerns the proposed AgoraEU programme for 2028-2034, a main EU financial instrument for democracy, fundamental rights and equality.
  2. It finds worrying backsliding on the rule of law and growing challenges to the rights of women, LGBTIQ persons and minorities in several member states.
  3. It states that Article 2 Treaty on European Union values impose concrete obligations on the Union institutions and the member states.
  4. It says attacks on sexual and reproductive rights, stigmatisation of LGBTIQ persons, rollback of equality policies and shrinking civic space reflect a broader democratic regression.
  5. It stresses that civil society organisations support victims, ensure access to rights, litigate, contribute to public debate and monitor compliance with Union law.
  6. It notes that feminist, anti-racist and LGBTIQ organisations are on the frontline and face political pressure, delegitimisation campaigns, legal restrictions and funding cuts.
  7. It asks that the legacy of the CERV programme and its Daphne strand on violence against women and girls be preserved and strengthened.
  8. It demands that integrating these instruments into AgoraEU ensure continuity, adequate resources and clear political commitment to fighting gender-based violence across the Union.
  9. It insists that consolidation under AgoraEU must not dilute equality and fundamental rights priorities, which would amount to endorsing erosion of fundamental rights.
  10. It calls for explicit recognition of gender equality, including full realisation of sexual and reproductive health and rights, as a structuring objective.
  11. It calls for predictable and multiannual operating grants to guarantee the independence of civil society organisations.
  12. It calls for effective accessibility of funding for grassroots actors, particularly where civic space is restricted, and for an intersectional approach to overlapping discrimination.

Who is affected

  • Civil society organisations, especially feminist, anti-racist and LGBTIQ groups, which would receive operating grants and funding.
  • Women, LGBTIQ persons and minorities facing discrimination, violence and rights backsliding.
  • Member states, which the opinion says must uphold Article 2 Treaty on European Union values.
  • Grassroots actors in environments where civic space is restricted, for whom funding accessibility is demanded.

Figures and deadlines

  • 2028-2034: the period of the proposed AgoraEU programme.

Legal basis: Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union.