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DRAFT OPINION (2023/2122(INI))

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

LIBE-PA-754691

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs · Rapporteur: Clare Daly

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This is a draft opinion from the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs for the Committee on Budgetary Control on transparency and accountability of EU-funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs). It asks the lead committee to include suggestions protecting civil society, ensuring proportionate reporting and rejecting misuse of 'foreign interference'.

Committee position. The committee calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control to incorporate its suggestions into the motion for a resolution, emphasising protection of civil society, proportionate reporting and rejection of 'foreign interference' misuse.

Key points

  1. Emphasises the role of grassroots and community organisations, trade unions, activist groups, human rights defenders and NGOs in promoting democracy, equality, the rule of law and fundamental rights and in ensuring accountability.
  2. Stresses that civil society is broader than NGOs, that NGOs are not a single bloc, and that they must be protected, including through adequate funding, including foreign funding.
  3. Remains deeply concerned by threats to and attacks on NGOs in member states.
  4. Calls on member states and the EU to improve the legal environment for civil society, requiring any restriction on seeking, securing and using resources, including foreign resources, to pursue a legitimate aim under Article 11(2) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
  5. Recalls that transparency and accountability measures must only serve legitimate public scrutiny and that reporting requirements for NGOs must remain strictly necessary and proportionate.
  6. Believes current EU instruments are likely sufficient for achieving proportionate transparency goals concerning NGO funding.
  7. Warns emphatically against weaponisation of the concept of 'foreign interference', which it says can be and is being used by governments to repress civil society and NGOs.

Who is affected

  • NGOs and civil society organisations, including grassroots groups, trade unions, activist groups and human rights defenders, which would benefit from protection and adequate funding.
  • Member states and the EU, which are called on to improve the legal environment for civil society and to ensure restrictions pursue legitimate aims.
  • Governments that use 'foreign interference' to repress civil society, which the opinion warns against.