EU must fund civil society organisations to safeguard European values
MEPs will call for a new European Values Instrument to support civil society organisations which are active at local and national level in promoting and protecting fundamental values.
MEPs are set to call on the EU to set up a funding instrument - the European Values Instrument - to promote and protect EU values, especially democracy, freedom, the rule of law and fundamental rights, within the EU budget of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The new instrument should be complementary to already existing European funds and should be financed fresh money.
Background
The EU provides direct funding - the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights - to civil society organisations (CSOs) operating in non-EU countries to foster EU values. But funds for CSOs promoting EU values within the EU are very limited, particularly for CSOs operating at local and national level.
Debate: Tuesday, 17 April
Vote: Thursday, 19 April
Procedure: non-legislative resolution