On 11-12 June 2025, Delegates from CONCORD’s National Platforms and Networks gathered for our General Assembly. Over two days, we reflected on the past year, assessed our strategic direction, and set priorities for the future of our Confederation.
This year’s overarching theme Turning the Tide: How to Reclaim Space for Civil Society, could not be more relevant as civil society faces increasing pressure. In this context, we are more than ever open to rethink the way we work and to reflect on the need for systemic change. It was very rewarding to see how members believe in the power of collective action making us stronger together and are willing to promote the common good for all civil society. This was also very much the tone during a dedicated meeting between CONCORD’s National Platforms, which are keen to engage more at EU level and to collaborate together to pursue opportunities.
In addition to the networking and community-building sessions and fostering stronger ties among National Platforms, brainstorming sessions were organised such as a fishbowl exercise to encourage open dialogue on our future direction, and small-group conversations to reflect on potential objectives for CONCORD.
While looking forward, we also celebrated the successes and achievements of 2024. Among them were the 2024 European elections campaign, during which members actively engaged with candidates to promote CONCORD’s vision for equitable and inclusive societies in a sustainable world. Our AidWatch Report 2024 was referenced in several high-level EU policy discussions, and its launch gathered over 60 participants. Additionally, CONCORD joined forces with 254 civil society organisations through the #CivilSociety4EU campaign, advocating for a comprehensive EU strategy for civil society. In 2024, CONCORD also went through a Rewire process to improve flexibility and efficiency in response to the changing external context, resulting in three key projects: Civil Society Power, Financing and Funding for Sustainable Development, and Equality and Leaving No One Behind.
The thematic sessions
This year’s thematic focus, Turning the Tide: How to Reclaim Space for Civil Society, was addressed in two key sessions:
- A keynote speech by Gina Romero, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. Gina highlighted the global decline in democratic spaces and growing hostility towards civil society, while sharing tools to counter these trends, including collective action and a return to core human rights principles.
- Then on the second day, we welcomed Ken Godfrey, Executive Director of the European Partnership for Democracy; Delphine Moralis, Chief Executive Officer at Philea; Lorenzo Marsili, Director of Berggruen Institute Europe; and Laure Verstraete, Board member of the European Youth Forum. The panel explored innovative approaches for reclaiming civic space in an increasingly polarised and restrictive environment. shape a better world, starting from the EU.
The statutory sessions
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Our General Assembly elected three new Board members: Jane-Ann McKenna, CEO of Dóchas (the Irish National Platform); Julieta González, Director and EU Representative at CARE International; and Mikael Leyi, Secretary General of SOLIDAR. We are looking forward to working together with you. We would also like to thank our outgoing Board members, Javier Garcia (ActionAid International), who has acted as CONCORD’s Vice President since 2024. Catherine Giboin (Coordination Sud), who was a Board member since 2022, and João Martins (ADRA Europe) who was co-opted in 2024. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to CONCORD and your invaluable contribution to defend international cooperation in critical times for civil society.
NEW MEMBERS
CONCORD is growing! Our General Assembly approved the membership of the Danish Refugee Council as an Associate Member of the Confederation. Welcome aboard, DRC!
Annual Report 2024
Delegates at the General Assembly also approved our Annual Report 2024, which reviews CONCORD’s intensified advocacy efforts towards equality, sustainable development and civil society power. To learn more about our 2024 successes, check our dedicated webpage.
The Policy Forum
The week concluded with our Policy Forum, where project members reviewed progress across our key policy areas and evaluated the impact of our ongoing rewiring process. A dedicated session was held with members on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to discuss our key advocacy calls concerning the future of international cooperation in the upcoming EU budget. To know more about the MFF from an international cooperation and sustainable development perspective, check our webpage.