The INACH secretariat expresses its serious concern over the proposed cuts to AgoraEU funding under the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034). We echo the concerns raised in the joint open letter supported by more than 600 civil society, media and cultural organisations across Europe, calling on EU leaders to preserve a strong and ambitious AgoraEU programme.

At a time when Europe faces growing challenges related to online hate, discrimination, disinformation and democratic resilience, reducing support for civil society sends a concerning signal. Civil society organisations (CSOs) play an essential role in protecting fundamental rights, supporting communities affected by discrimination, monitoring harmful online developments and holding digital platforms accountable.

The European Union has increasingly recognised the importance of civil society in implementing its digital and fundamental rights frameworks, including the Digital Services Act. Yet these responsibilities require sustainable funding, expertise and organisational capacity. Europe cannot expect civil society to contribute to a safer and more democratic digital environment while simultaneously weakening the resources needed to carry out this work. 

The EU has established important new mechanisms for civil society participation through legislation such as the DSA, the CoC+ and the CoC on Disinformation, recognising the essential role of CSOs in strengthening platform accountability and protecting fundamental rights online. However, meaningful participation requires sufficient financial resources, technical expertise and long-term organisational capacity. CSOs play a crucial role in independently monitoring online hate and discrimination, gathering evidence of systemic risks and providing regulators and policymakers with insights into the realities of the digital environment. Yet these activities cannot be sustained without reliable funding. Short-term, project-based funding alone is insufficient to ensure the continuity of essential work such as monitoring, trusted flagging, victim support and sustained advocacy. If the EU expects civil society to contribute meaningfully to a safer and more accountable digital environment, it must also invest in the organisations that make this possible.

For INACH and its network of organisations working against online hate, this is not simply a question of funding. It is about safeguarding the independent civil society infrastructure that enables meaningful participation in democratic processes, supports those affected by online hate and ensures that fundamental rights are protected both online and offline.

We therefore call on EU Member States and European institutions to maintain at least the European Commission’s proposed €8.58 billion allocation for AgoraEU and ensure that civil society organisations have access to adequate, sustainable and accessible funding under the future programme.

Investing in civil society is investing in Europe’s democratic resilience, fundamental rights and collective future.

Read the joint open letter supported by more than 600 organisations