Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have become essential actors in the employment and social field, particularly in the fight against poverty, social exclusion and discrimination.
They engage in regular dialogue with public authorities with a view to ensuring better implementation of EU initiatives and policies in the EU countries.
European Commission's support to civil society
That's why the European Commission is committed to support civil society organisations in their important role of protecting our democracies and building a stronger social Europe:
- by continuing the dialogue and cooperation with them;
- by supporting them through EU funding programmes and different policy initiatives.
Delivering on the European Pillar of Social Rights is a shared responsibility of civil society, social partners, local, regional, national authorities and EU institutions.
NGOs supported by EU funding
Through the financial support of the European Social Fund (ESF+), the Commission helps to increase the involvement of several European umbrella NGO networks active in the following field of social inclusion and social economy.
Promoting social inclusion and social economy
- Caritas Europa
- CECOP – European confederation of industrial and service cooperatives
- COFACE - Confederation of family organisations in the European Union
- EAPN - European Anti Poverty Network
- ESN - European Social Network
- EUROCARERS - European Association Working for Carers
- Eurochild
- Eurocities
- Eurodiaconia
- EuroHealthNet
- EPR - European Platform for rehabilitation
- EASPD - European association of service providers for persons with disabilities
- FEANTSA - European Federation of national organisations working with the homeless
- FEBA - European Food Banks Federation
- PICUM - Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants
- SAFE - Safe Food Advocacy Europe
- SOLIDAR
- REUSE - Re-use and recycling European Union social enterprises
- YES Forum - Youth and European social work forum
Through the 'Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values' programme (CERV), the Commission helps to increase the involvement of several European umbrella NGO networks active in the field of disability:
Representing and defending the rights of people with disabilities
- AE - Alzheimer Europe
- AE - Autism-Europe
- EBU - European Blind Union
- EDF - European Disability Forum
- ENIL - European Network on Independent Living
- EUD - European Union of the Deaf
- EFHOH - European Federation of Hard of Hearing People
- IFSBH - International Federation Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
- Inclusion Europe
- MHE - Mental Health Europe
Through the 'CERV' Programme, the Commission also helps to increase the involvement of several European umbrella NGO networks active in the following fields: