HRDN Statement on the Global Europe Proposal under the Post-2027 EU Budget
The Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN) has issued a statement in response to the European Commission’s proposal for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), calling on the EU to reaffirm and strengthen its commitment to human rights, democracy, and civil society. While welcoming the continued prioritisation of these values under the new Global Europe regulation, HRDN raises concerns about the lack of dedicated funding and thematic targets, urging EU institutions to ensure predictable, well-resourced support for civil society organisations and democratic actors worldwide.
Please see the full text of the statement below. (PDF version downloadable here)
Brussels, 1 August, 2025
HRDN Statement on the European Commission Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Global Europe as part of the post 2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)
Ensuring Stronger EU Commitment to Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law
As the European Commission tables its proposal for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN) calls on the European Union (EU) to reaffirm its global leadership in promoting peace, human rights, democracy and the rule of law and in supporting civil society organisations (CSOs).
We welcome the continued prioritisation of support to Human Rights and Democracy and to Civil Society Organisations (CSO) under the new Global Europe regulation - previously channelled through dedicated thematic programmes in the Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument, Global Europe (NDICI-GE). However, the new regulation merges this support into the new geographic and global pillars, while excluding thematic targets or earmarking on these priorities or any other priority (except for a general target on official development assistance spending).
While we understand the need for more flexibility, it remains unclear how the EU intends to ensure that adequate funding will be allocated to maintain and strengthen its commitments to human rights and democracy and to civil society organisations, therefore HRDN urges the European Commission, the Member States and the European Parliament to integrate the following priorities into the new Global Europe instrument:
A stand-alone and well-resourced allocation to human rights, democracy and CSOs, to maintain and expand the prioritisation of these thematic areas in suit of NDICI-Global Europe. Given the decline in democracy and the rise of autocratic regimes and anti-rights agendas, it is essential to enshrine within the Global Europe regulation clearly pre-allocated and predictable funding for these priorities, to safeguard them from competing budgetary and political pressures and ensure sustained EU commitment to its core values. This approach is coherent with EU’s values while serving the EU’s self-interest, as supporting democracy and human rights in partner countries will enable safer and more sustainable partnerships and input towards a more stable, peaceful and prosperous world for all.
Strengthening and Resourcing Civil Society Partnerships. HRDN urges the EU to significantly enhance both the quality and quantity of engagement with CSOs, particularly those working on human rights and democracy. This is particularly true for grassroots and frontline actors who are uniquely positioned to drive democratic change, yet remain mostly excluded from funding streams. The new Global Europe regulation should: 1) Ensure legal and operational inclusion and participation of CSOs at all stages of EU external programming; 2) Expand direct and flexible funding to CSOs both through short term crisis response as well as long-term core funding; 3) Support, promote and protect civic space and enabling environments for CSOs action and participation in democratic processes.
