Expert Discussion: Initiative for a European Association Statute

In February 2022, the European Parliament adopted the ‘Report on a Statute for European Cross-Border Associations and Non-Profit Organisations’ initiated by rapporteur Sergey Lagodinsky (MEP) with a broad, cross-group majority and thus called on the European Commission to take legislative action for a European Association Statute. The Commission has now announced that it will draft a legislative initiative in the coming months that will address some of the demands of the report. This would be the first time in the history of the European Union that a directive has been adopted that genuinely protects the fundamental rights and freedom of association of associations and organisations. After several failed attempts since the 1990s, this opens a new window of opportunity for a European Association Statute that sets minimum standards to strengthen and protect European civil society. The need for uniform regulation is high. On the one hand, to facilitate cross-border civil society engagement in the EU. On the other hand, to grant legal protection to associations and organisations under pressure.

The European Commission launched a public consultation on this project at the beginning of August, in which stakeholders can give their feedback and suggestions on the initiative until 28 October. 

The Heinrich Böll Foundation invites you to an exchange with experts and representatives of German civil society on 16 September at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the following questions:

• What exactly is the new initiative for a European Association Statute about? 
• What requirements would this regulation have to fulfil in order to provide legal protection and to facilitate operations for trans-European associations?
• How do stakeholders from German civil society position themselves? 
• How can the new initiative succeed after previous initiatives have failed? 

With:

• Dr. Sergey Lagodinsky (MEP), The Greens/EFA
• Alexandrina Najmovicz, Secretary General, European Civic Forum 
• Márta Pardavi, Co-chair, Hungarian Helsinki Committee
• Ansgar Klein, Managing Director, Federal Network for Civic Engagement, Berlin

Moderated by: Dr. Christine Pütz, Senior Advisor European Union, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Afterwards, we would like to welcome you for lunch on the terrace of the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation.

Organisational matters

The discussion will take place in a hybrid format: 

• In-person attendance: Heinrich Böll Foundation, Large Auditorium 1, Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin.
• Online: Zoom (access data will be announced in advance of the event).

Please fill in the registration form to indicate your participation in presence or online.

The discussion will be held in German with simultaneous English translation.

Contact details for all further questions:
Georg McCutcheon, Project Officer European Union and North America Division
E mccutcheon@boell.de

Your Participation in the event

» Participation on site

at the the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Conference Center, Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin

For your own safety and to protect other people, we recommend wearing a medical or FFP2 mask.

Please note our hygiene rules.

» Online participation via ZOOM

The access information will be sent to you by email 24 hours and then 2 hours prior to the event. 
You can use either the Zoom Client software or the app. If you are using either the Chrome or Edge browsers you will be able to participate directly via the access link. For more information on how to use Zoom, click here.
Please make sure that you are using the latest version of Zoom so that you have the necessary settings. You will need a microphone and possibly a camera for events with audience participation.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation is not liable for issues arising from the use of Zoom software. Zoom's current privacy policy can be found here.