Mobilising Citizens as STAKEHOLDERS in the protection of the Rule of Law in Europe

forthcoming

The STAKEHOLDERS project empowers civil society organisations and citizens across seven EU Member States to engage meaningfully with the European Commission’s Rule of Law cycle. Recognising that democratic participation is strongest when it includes those closest to the consequences of institutional failure, this project addresses the current gaps in civic engagement, particularly from grassroots actors and underrepresented communities. The project targets three key groups: (1) local and community-based CSOs, particularly those not traditionally engaged in EU advocacy; (2) civic-minded individuals from underrepresented communities, including youth, women, persons with disabilities, and minorities; and (3) public institutions and EU bodies, serving as indirect beneficiaries of enhanced, more representative civic input. STAKEHOLDERS will provide multilingual training, civic engagement toolkits, national conferences, and a pan-European civic conference. Activities will occur in Malta, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain, and Portugal, coordinated by a diverse consortium of partners within the CHANCE Network. The project bridges the gap between local insights and European policy by fostering a civic culture of participation and co-creating submissions to the Rule of Law consultation process. It builds lasting capacity for engagement, enhances the representativeness of EU-level reporting, and strengthens the foundations of participatory democracy throughout Europe.