CESI in line with the priorities of the Council of Europe Conference of International NGOs

From the Standing Committee meetings on Monday to the General Assembly sessions later during the week, the event reaffirmed the essential role of civil society and trade unions as pillars of democratic life and social cohesion.

A special event on ‘Climate Justice and Civil Society’ in the context of the session focused on the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice, aligning with CESI’s activities like its recent SYNCRISIS and ACTIVER capacity building projects for trade unions to ensure that the move to a green economy goes hand-in-hand with social fairness.

Discussions at the Conference also highlighted the increasing pressure on civil society organisations across Europe. Participants raised concerns about funding restrictions, reduced democratic participation, and the impact these have on workers’ rights to organise and act collectively.

Delegates reaffirmed that civil society and trade unions play a vital role in upholding rights, promoting inclusion and ensuring that social and economic changes benefit everyone. They emphasised the need to manage digital and environmental transitions in ways that promote equity, solidarity and participation. The debates reflected a shared commitment to strengthening democratic culture and protecting the voices of those who represent communities, workers and vulnerable groups.

CESI has always underlined that a free and independent civic space is essential for meaningful social dialogue and for protecting the ability of citizens and workers to express themselves and influence decisions. Examples from several European countries showed how limiting civic freedoms weakens both democracy and social cohesion.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger stressed the importance of collaboration: “As trade unions, we must make every effort to build bridges between ourselves, other NGOs, citizens and institutions. The Council of Europe’s work aligns with our goal to renew social dialogue and protect the autonomy of workers’ organisations. We are proud to support this mission.”

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