The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has joined a broad coalition of civil society organizations to protest the European Commission’s decision to withdraw operating grants from the European Network Against Racism (ENAR). This action underscores growing concerns regarding the shrinking civic space across Europe and the potential erosion of independent human rights advocacy.
On October 6, 2026, the European Civic Forum (ECF) published an open letter co-signed by FIDH and eight of its European member organizations. The signatories included more than 185 civil society groups united in their support for ENAR. The joint statement, released on October 9, 2026, explicitly denounced the European Commission’s move to cut structural funding, warning that the decision poses a direct threat to Europe’s largest anti-racism network.
The coalition argued that the withdrawal of this essential financial support raises serious questions about the predictability, fairness, and independence of European Union grant allocations. By targeting one of the continent’s most prominent organizations fighting systemic racism and discrimination, the decision reflects a broader trend of pressures facing groups dedicated to migrants’ rights and human defense.
In response to the funding cut, ENAR has initiated legal proceedings against the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). The network is challenging the decision through formal legal channels, seeking to overturn the withdrawal of its operating grant.
FIDH emphasized that it stands united with its member organizations to defend the autonomy of civil society. The federation stressed the need to ensure that European Union support remains a reliable safeguard for human rights defenders who operate under increasing scrutiny and pressure.
The member organizations of FIDH that co-signed the letter represent a wide geographic spread across Europe, highlighting the pan-European nature of the concern. These organizations include:
- Albanian Human Rights Group (Albania)
- Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos de España (APDHE) (Spain)
- Finnish League for Human Rights (Finland)
- Free Legal Advice Centres ltd (FLAC) (Ireland)
- Hellenic League for Human Rights (Greece)
- Ligue des droits de l’Homme/droits humains (France)
- League for the Defence of Human Rights (Romania)
- Liga voor Mensenrechten (Belgium)
The full text of the joint statement is available for public review, though it is currently accessible only in English. The coalition continues to call for transparency in how EU funds are distributed, arguing that arbitrary cuts undermine the integrity of the human rights framework within the bloc.
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
