Civil Liberties MEPs call for a new European Values Instrument to support civil society organisations which are active at local and national level in promoting and protecting EU fundamental values.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) are facing difficulties to secure enough funds to develop and perform their activities independently and effectively, Civil Liberties MEPs say on Monday.
MEPs call on the EU to set up a funding instrument – European Values Instrument – for the promotion and protection of the EU values, especially democracy, freedom, rule of law and fundamental rights, within the EU budget of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The new instrument should be complementary to already existing European funds and should be financed with the fresh money.
The motion for a resolution was approved by 25 votes to 5.
EU provides direct funding – European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights – to CSOs operating in third countries to foster EU values, but funds for CSOs promoting EU values within the EU are very limited, particularly for CSOs operating at local and national level.
