Nongovernmental groups have raised serious concerns following the first meeting of the European Parliament’s new “Scrutiny Working Group” on November 26, which focuses on funding for civil society organizations. While the initiative is presented as a move to enhance transparency in the use of EU grants, its limited mandate, narrow focus on nonprofits, and politically biased composition have led critics to describe it as a potential witch hunt aimed at stigmatizing and silencing independent groups.
The scrutiny body was created by right and far-right political factions known for hostility toward independent watchdogs. Opposition parties, including the Greens and Left, boycotted the initiative, and socialists and liberals staged a walkout at the inaugural meeting. Existing oversight of EU spending is already robust, with strict transparency requirements applied to all beneficiaries. Key programs under review, such as the EU’s LIFE climate action funding instrument, have consistently shown no evidence of wrongdoing, as confirmed by audits and budget discharge procedures.
Public funding enables nongovernmental groups to perform vital watchdog functions, offer independent expertise, support vulnerable communities, and uphold fundamental rights against private interests. Restricting this funding threatens their capacity to operate effectively and undermines democratic policymaking and the rule of law.
The creation of the scrutiny group adds to broader concerns about shrinking civic space across the EU. Independent organizations face criminal charges, smear campaigns, administrative hurdles, and abusive lawsuits in multiple countries. In France, funding cuts and regulatory pressure stifle civil society; in Greece and Italy, migrant rights defenders are heavily obstructed or criminalized; in Germany, politically motivated scrutiny targets independent groups; and in Hungary, the government is considering repressive laws to defund and dissolve organizations deemed “foreign-influenced.”
Civil society organizations stress the importance of transparent and fair accountability measures applied uniformly across all funding recipients. EU lawmakers are urged to recognize the essential role of civil society in strengthening democracy and to ensure that oversight mechanisms support rather than marginalize independent organizations.
