Over the years, EU-CORD members have repeatedly raised a key question in our regional workshops:
How can civil society organisations (CSOs) engage more effectively with EU Delegations?
This conversation has returned again and again, underlining both the importance and the challenge of building constructive dialogue with EU institutions.
In response, EU-CORD committed to engage on members’ behalf in this area, working alongside partners to gather insights and share experiences. This work is carried out with the CONCORD working group on civil society meaningful engagement.
From Consultation to Action
Often, after consultations, we would reflect on outcomes and share feedback—sometimes through ad hoc surveys after each meeting. This new initiative consolidates that work into one coordinated space. The Meaningful Engagement Platform builds directly on the principles set out in CONCORD’s paper
”—ensuring consultations are:
- Timely and inclusive
- Accessible and well-communicated
- Transparent in purpose and process
- Participatory and co-owned
- Responsive to input
- Sustained beyond single events
- Evaluated and improved over time
Instead of scattered follow-up exercises, we now have a structured, multilingual feedback tool (available in English, French, and Spanish) to collect and analyse CSOs’ experiences of EU engagement across multiple consultations. The platform not only tracks and compiles evidence in one place, but also shares resources, examples of good practice, and guidance to support effective, respectful, and strategic engagement with EU Delegations.
Why This Matters
Meaningful engagement is not a one-sided process. It benefits both CSOs and the EU, helping to shape policies that reflect diverse perspectives and respond to real needs.
For EU-CORD, this is about more than advocacy—it is about relationship. As much as civil society has a responsibility to raise concerns and speak truth to power, we also recognise the importance of acknowledging good practice when we see it. Where colleagues in the EU institutions and Brussels show openness, listen well, and engage constructively, we should be quick to highlight and encourage that.
In our work, dignity is for all. By humanising the way we engage—on both sides—we create space for trust, collaboration, and change that lasts. As people of faith, we are called to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8). This means speaking truth where it is needed, but also being quick to recognise and honour what is good (Philippians 4:8). In doing so, we reflect a dignity that belongs to all.
A Call to Our Members
We encourage all EU-CORD members to:
- Explore and use the tool to access resources and practical guidance on engaging with EU Delegations.
- Share your experiences—both challenges and successes—so that together we can build a stronger, evidence-based picture of civil society engagement with the EU.
Your insights are essential. The more we learn from each other, the better we can influence and improve how the EU works with civil society.
Platform Launch – 29 September 2025
The Meaningful Engagement Platform and its feedback tool will be launched on 29 September 2025. After the launch, this article will be updated with a direct link to the platform. In the meantime, you can find full details of the launch event and registration here: More information on the launch and registration.
