Interest Group on Civil Society in the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament?
Show your support for civil society by committing to safeguard its key role in European democracies
The Interest Group on Civil Society brings together MEPs committed to defend and support the key role civil society plays in European societies, from promoting fundamental rights, to amplifying the voices of marginalised groups, and providing support to vulnerable communities.
The Interest Group intends to act as a cross-group political space to facilitate exchanges with civil society actors, promote policies aiming to better support the civil society sector, and react against attacks on civic space.
Members of
the Interest Group
Brando Benifei
- Italy
- S&D
Barry Andrews
- Ireland
- Renew Europe
Ana Catarina Mendes (Co-Chair)
- Portugal
- S&D
Eero Heinäluoma
- Finland
- S&D
Estrella Galán
- Spain
- GUE-NGL
Marie Toussaint
- France
- Greens-EFA
Sabrina Repp
- Germany
- S&D
Martin Hojsík
- Slovakia
- Renew Europe
Why is civil society important?
Civil society is an essential part of EU democracy. It contributes to promoting and protecting fundamental rights, supports governments and institutions to respond to people’s needs, and offers citizens a platform – especially for marginalised groups – to better connect with policy makers and participate in decisions that affect them.
It also contributes to alerting elected representatives on issues regarding the implementation of policies and legislation, supporting the European Parliament to play its role as check and balance to the rule of law.