European Union

NCVO has a long-standing presence in European Union (EU). We work with our members and key partner organisations to share knowledge of civil society nationally and internationally and to shape the direction of EU policy. In an increasingly interdependent world, civil society organisations are vital to make links across borders.

NCVO's European and International Office campaigns at the European Union-level on behalf of civil society in England. The main areas we work on are:

• Participatory democracy
• Social service reform
• EU funding
• Social investment, innovation and community ownership.

We also provide: 

• the latest information and news
• updates on the top priorities in Brussels
• free resources and signposting to help demystify the EU.

Keep up to date with us

NCVO sends a range of tailored email newsletters including a bi-monthly one to keep you upto date on the latest developments, news and resources in European Union. Sign up to our e-newsletter by ticking the European and International box.

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Latest news

NCVO coordinates sector-wide response on European structural funds

Following the launch of the UK government’s informal consultation on the new EU Structural Funds, we are coordinating a sector-wide response on what the priorities should be for civil society organisations for the period 2014-2020.

We are calling for input from all civil society organisations – voluntary and community groups, charities, non-government organisations, wider social enterprise networks and individuals involved in EU funding – to feed into our response. Find out more in our press release.

As part of the consultation, NCVO will hold a free, high level all-day event, Back to the Future: Civil Society Engagement in Structural Funds, on the new programme on 27 April 2012, at Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre, London.

Details on how to send us your views and how to register for the event can be found on the European Funding Network website.

Back to the Future: Current Experiences & Future Perspectives: Civil Society engagement in the EU Structural Funds
27 April 2012 09:30-15:30 

With the next programme of EU Structural Funds currently being designed this event seeks to bring together key stakeholders from the European Commission, UK Government Departments and civil society organisations for a day of learning, exchanging and debating.

You will have the opportunity to hear first hand from the European Commission and European Parliament about the draft regulations for the next generation of EU funds, engage with representatives from key UK government departments through an open debate and learn about our sector experiences and practices in the current EU Structural Funds programme.

Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard about what the key priorities for post 2013 should be!

Sign up here 

OCS Event Series 3: A European Spring - Shape the European Social Innovation and Social Business Agenda

15 March 2012: Join us in the third event in our Strategic Partners series with Euclid Network as we explore the European Commission's new Social Business Initiatve. This builds on the social innovation agenda that puts civil society in the driving seat of social and economic development. The European Commisssion is looking to civil society for solutions to tough economic problems.

This event will explore new opportunities for civil society organisations and social enterprise in the UK to engage with the European agenda to foster an enabling environment for the sector. This is your opportunity to take part and define the priorities for British civil society.

OCS Event Series 2: European Years, What do they mean for us?

27 January 2012: The second major event of the joint series of Strategic Partners events with Euclid Network. Connecting the European Year of Volunteering 2011 with the European Year of Active Aging 2012 and the European Year of Citizenship 2013, a wide range of civil society organisations came together with representatives of the European Commission and government departments including DWP and the Office for Civil Society to build joint knowledge on European Years.

You can read our short report on this event and our recommendations for European Years
You can also access the European Commission’s presentation from DG Communication, Citizens’ Policy Unit's Joachim Ott.

Have you had experience of a European Year? Get in touch with us if you'd like to know more about the plans for activities this year and next year.

Recommendations for the reform of European Procurement Directives

On 12 December, NCVO submitted a recommendations paper to the European Commission, to inform their ongoing review of the European Procurement Directives, to ensure that they take into account the needs of civil society organisations to bid for and review services.

The paper acknowledges that while the voluntary sector’s involvement in delivering services is on the rise, the sector’s full potential and value in direct service provision is hindered by current procurement practice. NCVO is therefore pushing for reform to the EU procurement rules across a range of areas, including:

• simpler and more clarified guidance for the Directives
• training for commissioners and procurement officers on the needs and capacities of civil society
• review of exemptions and increasing thresholds for social services

Read the full report (PDF 104KB)

OCS Strategic Partner Event Series 1: What can the EU do for you? Unlocking Effective EU Resources

21 November 2011: In the first of a series of three events, civil society strategic partners came together in dialogue with the Minister for Civil Society, the European Commission and wider government departments including DWP and BIS to identify better ways to access EU funds. This event was jointly led by NCVO and Euclid Network

You can read the recommendations from the event to the Minister here

You can access the key presentations as follows: Sandra Turner ESF ; Andy Churchill ERDF ; Luisa de Amicis EU transnational funds ; Mark Mitchell EU intercultural funds

Social Entrepreneurship Report approved at EESC

NCVO's Sir Stuart Etherington has contributed to a key report on Social Entrepreneurship to the European Commission, on the crucial European Economic and Social Committee. This builds on several months of dialogue with partners across Europe to identify ways to open up EU rules to develop an enabling environment for civil society and generate opportunities for social enterprise.

The report, known as an Exploratory Opinion was approved at the Plenary Meeting of the Committee on 26 October, read it here

Event highlight: Opening the doors to social investment in the EU

NCVO is hosting a free half-day workshop on social investment, giving you an opportunity to help shape NCVO's policies in social investment and EU policy-making in this area, and hear from key speakers.

Read more about the event and book a place.

Simpler rules for social investment across Europe

We are pushing for new opportunities for social investment and a simplification of EU rules in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The EESC is a central part of the EU institutions and regularly provides expert opinions to the European Commission as part of the legislative process

Oli Henman explains all in his blog on the Guardian website.

Social Investment Consultation

NCVO is working closely with partners to develop a response to the current European Commission Consultation on Social Investment, you can see the full text on the Europa website. If you would like to be involved in this reponse, please contact Neena Bhati.

State aid reform – EESC opinion

As a member of the uropean Economic and Social Committee Sir Stuart Etherington and NCVO were successful in ensuring that key points affecting non-profit service providers were included in the final opinion on the EcoSoc opinion on the reform of State aid rules in the public procurement regulations. This included extending the criteria for “efficiency”, a call for more EU guidance, and greater clarity on the relationship between civil society and earning reasonable profit through service delivery.

This opinion will be submitted to European Commission to inform their proposal on the new SGEI framework and State aid rules. The final paper will be available shortly. 

Get involved with 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. Find out more and join the group.