The Rule of Law and Philanthropy
Philea, Ariadne and Civitates will host “The Rule of Law and Philanthropy” online on 27 October to discuss how philanthropy can help strengthen democracy, civic space and the rule of law across Europe.
Philanthropy is part of civil society, a vital pillar of healthy democracies. When governments begin to restrict the work of civil society organisations, it is often an early warning sign of declining democratic freedoms and weaker accountability and rule of law.
Across Europe, civil society and also philanthropic organisations increasingly face obstacles ranging from burdensome regulations and funding restrictions to limits on advocacy and cross-border grant-making. In an increasing number of countries, organisations receiving international funding are portrayed with suspicion, further closing the space for independent civic action.
Recent analysis by Liberties highlights a worrying trend: safeguards that hold governments accountable are deteriorating across Europe, yet they receive relatively little attention in the European Commission’s Rule of Law Report. Progress on recommendations in this area remains limited.
At the same time, the European Commission Rule of Law report has become an important tool for civil society. It shines a spotlight on challenges, strengthens accountability, and helps organisations across Europe work together to defend democratic values.
What does the 2026 Rule of Law Report tell us about the state of democracy in Europe? What broader trends are emerging? How might the report evolve under the next EU budget cycle? And what role can philanthropy play in protecting open, democratic societies and civic space?
This event is part of Empowering Philanthropy Infrastructure for Change (EPIC), a project co-funded by the European Union.
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