Beyond Brussels: How EU Civil Society Shapes a Resilient Europe

Author: Ami Jin

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend European Civil Society Week in Brussels, an annual gathering hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) that brings together activists, policymakers, academics, journalists, and civil society organizations from across Europe. The event serves as a platform where citizens and institutions can engage directly in discussions about resolving issues like poverty and social exclusion, fostering civic engagement, and strengthening social cohesion. 

Photo credit: EESC

After listening to many insightful speakers, one idea appeared repeatedly in my mind throughout the discussions: civil society plays a vital role in maintaining democratic systems. As the EESC President Séamus Boland emphasized, civil society is not a luxury, it is a core piece of democratic infrastructure. This message reflects a broader concern across Europe today. Democratic institutions are increasingly facing pressures from political polarization, disinformation campaigns, declining trust in institutions, and economic uncertainty. In this context, strengthening civic participation and social cohesion is becoming essential to protecting democratic resilience.

Social Cohesion as a Democratic Foundation

One of the sessions, titled “What Holds Us Together? The Power of Social Cohesion,” explored how societies can respond to these challenges. Organized by the network of National Economic and Social Councils (NESCs), the session brought together participants from across Europe, including representatives from Bulgaria, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Greece, and Spain, to discuss how social cohesion can strengthen democratic governance. 

Participants highlighted that strong social cohesion is crucial for addressing growing polarization and social divisions. According to the session’s framework, many contemporary challenges, from geopolitical conflicts and disinformation campaigns to economic insecurity and rising living costs, are eroding citizens’ trust in democratic institutions.

To respond to these challenges, the discussion focused on three interconnected pillars: trust and democratic legitimacy, ensuring that no one is left behind, and promoting intergenerational fairness. These themes reflect broader efforts within the EU to rebuild public confidence in democratic systems and ensure that policies remain inclusive and equitable.

Democratic Backsliding in Europe

These discussions also connect to a growing debate about democratic backsliding within the European Union, particularly in parts of Central and Eastern Europe. Countries such as Hungary and Bulgaria have drawn increasing scrutiny in recent years due to concerns about judicial independence, media freedom, and the concentration of political power. While democratic erosion can occur in any political system, scholars note that some post-communist states face particular vulnerabilities due to their relatively recent democratic transitions.

Research from the Centre on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law argues that democratic backsliding within the EU often occurs gradually through institutional weakening rather than sudden regime change. Governments may slowly undermine democratic safeguards by reshaping courts, restricting media independence, or weakening oversight mechanisms. Other analysts emphasize the role of economic dissatisfaction and political distrust. According to analysis by the Royal United Services Institute, democratic erosion in Europe is frequently linked to declining public confidence in political institutions and frustrations with corruption or inequality.

In Bulgaria, for example, observers have pointed to concerns about corruption and weak institutional accountability as factors contributing to democratic fragility. A report by the European Council on Foreign Relations notes that persistent governance challenges and political instability have complicated efforts to strengthen democratic institutions in the country.

These challenges highlight why discussions about social cohesion, trust, and civic participation, like those held during Civil Society Week, are increasingly important across Europe.

Civil Society as a Democratic Safeguard

In response to these pressures, European institutions are increasingly emphasizing the role of civil society as a partner in democratic governance. One initiative highlighted during Civil Society Week was the development of a new EU Civil Society Platform, which aims to strengthen cooperation between EU institutions and civil society organizations.

Civil society groups also play a key role in promoting citizen participation through mechanisms such as the European Citizens’ Initiative. This mechanism allows citizens to propose policy initiatives to the European Commission if they gather at least one million signatures from across the EU. According to the EESC, several recent initiatives have reached this threshold, demonstrating the growing engagement of European citizens in policymaking.

The diversity of participants at Civil Society Week reflected this broader effort to strengthen democratic participation across the continent. The presence of speakers, including representatives from various European political institutions and participants from across Europe, illustrated how civil society actors from across Europe are collaborating to address shared democratic challenges.

Rebuilding Trust in European Democracy

Ultimately, many of the challenges facing European democracy today stem from a deeper issue of declining trust between citizens and institutions. When people feel excluded from political decision-making or believe that institutions no longer represent their interests, democratic systems become more vulnerable to polarization and populist narratives.

Rebuilding trust, therefore, requires more than institutional reform. It requires inclusive policymaking, transparent governance, and meaningful citizen participation. Civil society organizations and the European Citizen Initiatives (ECI) can play a crucial role in this process by facilitating dialogue, representing marginalized voices, and ensuring that public debate remains open and pluralistic.

During one of the discussions at Civil Society Week, the need to “break the Brussels bubble” was raised and resonated strongly with many in the room. The comment referred to the perception that EU policymaking often takes place within a narrow circle of institutions and experts in Brussels, far removed from the everyday concerns of citizens across the continent. Bridging this gap by connecting institutions with grassroots voices is precisely where civil society can play a critical role.

Events like Civil Society Week help advance this goal by creating spaces where policymakers, researchers, and citizens can engage in open discussions about Europe’s democratic future.

Attending Civil Society Week offered me a valuable opportunity to observe these conversations firsthand. While the event highlighted many of the challenges facing European democracies today, from disinformation and polarization to democratic backsliding, it also demonstrated the resilience of civil society actors working across the continent. Referring back to Mr. Boland's quote, at a time when democratic systems face increasing pressure, that infrastructure may prove essential for rebuilding trust, strengthening social cohesion, and ensuring that European democracy continues to evolve.