NCVO's European and International Office co-ordinates NCVO's international work and campaigns at European Union level on generic issues of importance to the English voluntary and community sector.

Launching the European Election manifesto 20 March 2009

NCVO and the European Network of National Associations are launching their joint EU manifesto Connecting Civil Society which has been written in partnership with major national umbrella groups in 14 countries and with recommendations from NCVO members.

• Find out more about Connecting Civil Society 

European Elections 4 June 2009

The upcoming European elections will provide a key opportunity to raise recommendations to European parliamentarians. NCVO is working with national umbrella associations across Europe to establish our joint Manifesto 'Connecting Civil Society' for the European elections, this will be available shortly!

You can find out more about this on Third Sector magazine

News from the European Union and the world

• EU Issues from a voluntary sector viewpoint
• News about international civil society

Our EU policy positions and campaigns

EU Treaty opens door for more civil society participation

25 January 2008 - NCVO has highlighted the role of the EU Treaty in allowing for greater civil society participation with the European institutions. The Treaty is a first step towards recognising the role of civil society in the EU, setting out the opportunity for citizens’ intiatives of 1 million signatures and opening the opportunity for the creation of a European level Compact.

• Download the report (PDF 23KB) of our Eurogroup meeting with Minister Jim Murphy, with members key views on the Treaty.
• The importance of this change was highlighted in parliamentary debate, the Foreign Secretary recognised the value of the views of voluntary sector leaders and our call for a Euro Compact was raised by Tom Levitt MP, see debate on the 21 January 2008 in the House of Commons.

• Stuart Etherington’s key response in the Guardian on 22 January

Campaigns

N CVO’s European and International Office campaigns at European Union level on behalf of the English Voluntary and Community Sector. 

• Download (PDF, 125KB): NCVO's response to the EU's Consultation on the Transparency Inititative Green Paper
• Download  (PDF, 125KB): NCVO's response to the EU's Consultation on the Communication White Paper
• NCVO’s Campaign for a Compact Style Agreement at EU level. 
  

Get Involved

Our Eurogroup network

We also run the Eurogroup, a network of voluntary sector officers interested in EU issues.  As well as regular events on EU themes, Eurogroup members get monthly newsletters with EU news and information.

International membership

We have specifically developed an International Membership package to enable organisations based outside of the UK to keep up to date with the work of the NCVO and to receive news and information about the English Voluntary Sector. Join NCVO, get the international membership.