European civil society manifesto is launched

Finance | Vibeka Mair | 23 Mar 2009

The NCVO has launched the first manifesto from the European Network of National Associations, a new grouping of EU national umbrella organisations representing voluntary, community and non-profit organisations across 17 European nations.

The EU Civil Society Manifesto, which is timed to pre-empt the June 2009 European Parliament Elections, sets out six recommendations and five specific requests to members of the European parliament (MEPs).

The Green Party MEP, and MEP candidates from the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat Party attended the launch on 20 March to hear the recommendations.

It recommends the creation of a civil society charter that will set out a type of ‘compact’ on the relationship between civil society and the institutions of the EU.

The manifesto also says European institutions need to develop clearer, more accessible funding and procurement guidelines for use at EU and national level.

Sector ‘definition’ wanted

Reflecting the NCVO’s call for wider adoption of the term ‘civil society’, the manifesto asks for a clear and consistent definition for the voluntary and community sector across the Europe in order to simplify the wide range of legal definitions and statutes currently in use.

It also asks for civil society to have more influence in decisions of EU governance, a greater recognition of the role of social economy organisations in the global financial crisis and support for the European Year of Volunteering 2011.

The European Network will specifically ask MEPs to establish a European Commissioner for Civil Society, a space for the EU’s civil society to meet with a clear budget from the European Commission, a consultation on a civil society charter and an inter-group on civil society.

It will also demand action on five key areas across Europe: healthcare rights, environment, development, human rights and social enterprise.

Directory: National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
Who's Who: Vibeka Mair

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