“Europe at a Historical Crossroads”
The conference began with opening speeches by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty. Ambassador Daniela Cujbă, representing the current presidency of Moldova, also addressed the participants.
Secretary General Alain Berset emphasized that Europe is once again at a historical crossroads, referencing Václav Havel’s approach, which confronted Europe with a dilemma of “taking responsibility or paying the price.” Berset stated that today’s conditions present a similar democratic challenge.
In his address, Berset said that Europe’s ability to give a strong response to external threats depends on keeping the civic space open within. He stressed that if democratic trust erodes, it will not be possible for Europe to remain a credible democratic actor on a global scale.
Berset also said that interference in electoral processes has become easier, while trust in elections has weakened. Emphasizing that disinformation, foreign interference, and AI-driven manipulation are shaping democratic debates even before the voting stage, Berset listed threats to journalists, excessive use of force against peaceful protests, and strategic lawsuits against civil society actors (SLAPPs) as main indicators of the shrinking civic space. Referring to CIVICUS data, Berset reminded that only 12 out of the 46 Council of Europe member states are considered to have an “open” civic space.
Three Thematic Priorities
The Secretary General pointed to three priorities in the New Democratic Pact process:
1. Disinformation and Democratic Security
He stated that foreign information manipulation is now not just a freedom of expression issue, but a matter of democratic security. He announced that a new convention on disinformation and foreign interference is on the Council of Europe’s agenda. He stressed that their aim is not to limit freedom of expression, but to protect the democratic subject and the sphere of public debate.
2. Migration and the Rule of Law
Berset stated that migration is being debated through a false dilemma between “security” and “principles,” which narrows the civic space. He said security and rule of law must advance together within the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights.
3. Democratic Dialogue
Berset noted that civic space is where democracy "breathes," and stated that democratic renewal is possible only through policies that protect and strengthen civil society.
“The darkness of the past reminds us of the fragility of today’s achievements”
Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty began his speech by talking about his visit to the Struthof Nazi concentration camp. He said that the systematic human rights violations in Europe’s recent past show just how fragile today’s democratic gains are.
The Commissioner noted that civil society plays an indispensable role both in delivering essential services and in shaping policy processes. He also stated that civil society often takes on the early warning function in areas such as digitalization, the use of technology in law enforcement, and algorithmic discrimination.
The Commissioner for Human Rights emphasized that funding crises, excessive regulatory scrutiny, “foreign agent” type laws, and disabled consultation mechanisms are also systematically undermining civic space.
Day One: Shrinking Space, Increasingly Complex Methods
On the first day of the conference, the current state of civic space and monitoring mechanisms were discussed. Restrictive legislation, administrative harassment, impediments to accessing funding, and stigmatization practices were defined as the main tools used. It was stated that restrictions on the right to protest are justified on the grounds of public security; in the digital sphere, meanwhile, ambiguous regulations are being used to limit civil society content.
In the Slovakia example, the government’s harsh rhetoric towards civil society was said to have created an institutional climate of hostility; on the other hand, it was reported as a good example that civil society was able to quickly form coalitions to stop some regulations.
The most urgent problem areas identified through Mentimeter evaluations were listed as restrictive laws, risks of attacks and threats, access to funding, and limited participation in decision-making processes.
The specific risks faced by organizations working in the field of women’s rights were also addressed. A GREVIO representative stated that women’s rights defenders face increasing violence and threats. The rise of anti-gender and anti-feminist movements was said to be shrinking civic space even further.
Day Two: “Not a narrowing, but a closing civic space”
The second day of the conference continued from a democratization perspective. The OSCE representative said that the discussion should not only be about “shrinking” civic space, but, in many countries, a civic space that is in effect “closing.”
Notable risks included restrictions on media freedom, limitations on the right to peaceful assembly, “foreign agent” laws, and legal and administrative harassment practices.
In the Georgia example, the “foreign influence agent” law was reported to have seriously affected NGOs’ access to funding; many organizations lost staff and had to close offices. In her closing remarks, Amnesty International Brussels Office Director Eve Geddie also addressed developments in Turkey and the case of Osman Kavala.
Call for Funding and International Cooperation
Throughout the conference, the need for sustainable and flexible funding was among the strongest common messages. The Norwegian representative announced that a new €300 million fund is being prepared for NGOs under EEA and Norway Grants.
The OSCE representative emphasized that protecting independent civil society should be a priority. The message “Civil society is not a threat to democracy, but an indispensable element of it” was underlined.
Closing Message: Civic Space is Not a Choice, but a Necessity
At the end of the conference, it was emphasized that protecting civic space is a necessity for democratic societies, that civil society should be seen as a strategic partner in policy processes, and that sustainable and flexible funding must be provided. It was also stated that early warning mechanisms must be strengthened and timely interventions must be made against the gradual closing of civic space.