Europe’s civil society: still under pressure

FRA’s report ‘Europe’s civil society: still under pressure – Update 2022’ focuses on the key role civil society plays in fostering a rule of law culture. It cites good practice examples from across the EU.

These include efforts by civil society organizations to shape laws and policies, support human rights authorities, and improve access to justice, accountability and legality. It also reveals examples of how they tackle disinformation and corruption, enhancing media literacy, raising awareness of the rule of law issues, and the role civil society plays.

The report points to recent national, international, and EU tools and guidelines supporting civil society organizations.

The report also contains examples of how civil society is in the vanguard of efforts to support people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Organizations provide hands-on practical assistance, information on rights and services as well as legal advice.

The report updates the findings FRA presented in 2021 and 2018 on challenges civil society continues to face across the EU.

FRA drew its findings from research in each Member State, and from responses to an online consultation from almost 450 human rights civil society organizations.