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Policy Webinar: Shrinking Space for NGOs in Europe

On 14 March EASPD will hold a webinar on the shrinking space for NGOs in Europe.

Register

Across much of Europe, many NGOs, including social service providers, are experiencing a shrinking space. This is both in terms of their voice towards policymakers, and the day-to-day services the NGOs provide to vulnerable or excluded individuals.

Protests are currently being held in Georgia against a proposed bill, which would effectively categorise most NGOs as “foreign agents”. This is another example of rising concerns about the direction we are headed regarding NGO treatment in many areas of Europe. On top of the impact this has in terms of democratic participation and civil dialogue, this also has significant negative consequences for many NGO social service providers in the same country. This in turn impacts the quality of life of those who draw on the social services provided.

Join us on the 14th March from 11h00 – 12h30 (CET) to:

  • Raise awareness and better understand the issue of anti-NGO policies in many parts of Europe.
  • Provide moral and other forms of support for those affected, including those in Georgia.
  • Assess how this impacts the provision of support for persons with disabilities and other groups.
  • Exchange initiatives to fight back against this anti-NGO trend

Programme 

11:00              

Welcome

  • Maya Doneva, EASPD
 
11:05

Protests against “foreign agents” law in Georgia: what is happening?

  • Mari Mgebrishvili, Executive Director, Society Biliki, Georgia
 
11:15

Shrinking Space for NGOs in Bulgaria

  • George Bogdanov, Executive Director, National Network for Children, Bulgaria
 
11:25

Disability Rights Movements in Eroding Democracies in Europe

  • Gabor Petri, Postdoctoral Researcher, Central European University, Democracy Institute, Budapest
 
11:35

Shrinking space for Civil Society in Europe: context and what next?

  • Speaker tbc
 
11:45

Q&A with Participants

  • Thomas Bignal, EASPD
 
12:15

Concluding remarks

  • Maya Doneva, EASPD