STAKEHOLDERS Project

The STAKEHOLDERS project (Mobilising Citizens as STAKEHOLDERS in the Protection of the Rule of Law in Europe) is a European initiative aimed at strengthening democratic participation by linking citizens and civil society organisations more directly with the European Union’s Rule of Law process. Fundamentally, the project addresses a clear gap: while the European Commission actively invites civic contributions to its annual Rule of Law Reports, participation remains limited, uneven, and often restricted to specialised actors.

STAKEHOLDERS aims to transform this dynamic by making the Rule of Law cycle accessible, understandable, and relevant to a wider public. It particularly concentrates on grassroots civil society organisations, young people, and underrepresented communities—groups often most impacted by governance failures but least able to influence formal decision-making processes. By equipping these actors with knowledge, tools, and opportunities to participate, the project enhances both the quality of civic input and the legitimacy of democratic oversight mechanisms.

The project operates across multiple European countries, bringing together partners with expertise in anti-corruption, civic education, public policy, and community mobilisation. Through a combination of training programmes, public conferences, communication campaigns, and collaborative platforms, STAKEHOLDERS builds capacity at the national level while fostering a shared European civic space. Participants learn not only how the Rule of Law cycle works but also how to contribute effectively—transforming lived experience into structured, policy-relevant input.

A key feature of the project is its focus on dialogue and co-creation. National civic conferences provide spaces where citizens, civil society organisations, journalists, and experts can share perspectives on rule of law issues in their countries. These discussions contribute to a broader European process, culminating in a joint civil society contribution that reflects cross-border insights and common concerns.

Beyond immediate outputs, STAKEHOLDERS aims for lasting impact. It creates practical resources—such as training materials and toolkits—that organisations across Europe can reuse and adapt. It also enhances networks of cooperation, ensuring civic engagement in the Rule of Law process continues well beyond the project’s duration.

Ultimately, STAKEHOLDERS contributes to a more participatory and resilient European democracy. By empowering citizens to transition from observers to active participants, it helps bridge the gap between institutions and society, ensuring that the protection of the rule of law becomes a shared responsibility across Europe.

Follow the project updates here:  https://linktr.ee/StakeholdersProject  

Online Event – 8 June 2026 | 3:30–5:30 PM (CET)

Join us for the online event “Empowering European Civil Society for the Rule of Law”, bringing together civil society representatives, EU institutions, and experts to discuss challenges, good practices, and engagement in the Rule of Law process across Europe.

The event will take place on 8 June 2026 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM (CET) via Zoom (registration required). The working language will be English.

See the event agenda              Register here: https://forms.gle/7vYnneWKqag42PSH8

Partners:

1. REPUBBLIKA (Malta) Coordinator
2. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNICATION AISBL (Belgium)
3. LIBERA – ASSOCIAZIONI, NOMI E NUMERI CONTRO LE MAFIE (Italy)
4. ASOCIATIA PENTRU COOPERARE SI DEZVOLTARE DURABILA (Romania)
5. ENTRETODOS – ASSOCIACAO PORTUGUESA DE PARCERIAS PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO SOCIAL (Portugal)
6. BELGIAN ANTIMAFIA STEPS TOWARDS AWARENESS (Belgium)
7. FUNDACION PARA LA INVESTIGACION APLICADA EN DELINCUENCIA Y SEGURIDAD (Spain)
8. MAFIANEINDANKE EV (Germany)

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.