The European Union must commit sufficient funding to support democracy in its next seven-year budget and bolster the bloc’s global leadership in defence of its core values and security interests, five leading international organisations say. The statement outlines six key proposals to bolster democracy aid in new EU seven-year budget. Read the full joint statement.
We welcome the decision of the European Commission President to make ‘Protecting our democracy, upholding our values’ a core priority of this mandate. In designing its next multi year budget (MFF), the EU must decide what world it wants to offer to European citizens at home and internationally. In many countries we are seeing a concerted attempt to roll back efforts to create societies defined by inclusive values, media freedom, equality of rights for all, and independent institutions, principles that are inherent to democracy. Supporting democracy means nurturing reliable partnerships and supporting the EU’s global influence. EU democracy assistance is a vital instrument to help build democratic institutions and endow them with resilience all over the world.
Support for democracy is part of the DNA of the European Union but it also serves its self-interest. Strengthening EU values simultaneously means boosting the resilience and therefore security of the societies of EU Member States and that of its neighbourhood. Evidence shows that a more democratic world is a more peaceful world. The main objective of the EU’s security strategy is to protect our way of life, centered around democracy and respect for human rights. Any holistic, well-thought-out security strategy for Europe cannot but have support for democracy at its core.
Improving efficient corruption prevention mechanisms and stable investment frameworks contribute to the European economy’s competitiveness. More transparency and participation in policy design help to cut red tape and build trust across sectors. Democracy is, therefore, both a project of its own value and an intrinsic tool to deliver on the priorities of the European Commission.
Ensuring strong democracies in European Member States is the basis for combating challenges such as the rise of extremism, election interference, the spread of manipulative information and threats to journalists. Threats to democracy, within Europe and outside, threaten the very existence of the EU as a political project that creates space for citizens to thrive and benefit from their fundamental liberties. The European Commission as the guardian of the treaties has the duty to protect and promote democracy within its borders and beyond.
With the steady erosion of democratic processes and freedoms across the world, words and good intentions will only go so far. It is essential to integrate fundamental rights and democratic governance across EU policy areas. The EU and Member States need to dedicate resources in a more efficient and strategic way to respond more effectively to threats through the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework.
As a community of democracy support organisations we, therefore recommend to:
