The Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law report – annual report 2025

Tabled by Petra Steger, Marieke Ehlers, Jorge Buxadé Villalba

91. Removed: Stresses that transparency and accountability in the use of EU funds are vital components of the rule of law; stresses that reporting obligations and transparency should be in place to ensure that EU money is well spent, while avoiding unnecessary burdens on organisations; considers that the current EU legislation on scrutiny, due diligence and transparency constitutes a solid basis, and underlines that the EU should remain ready to review and reinforce the framework should shortcomings be identified; calls on the Member States and Added: Expresses grave concern about the lack of transparency regarding EU funding to NGOs; notes with concern reports that the Commission has financed NGOs for campaigns, public advocacy and litigation, including activities aimed at influencing regulatory outcomes in favour of specific policy objectives, without public disclosure of contractual arrangements or funding criteria; stresses that substantial amounts are disbursed annually to NGOs without publication of contracts, transparent allocation mechanisms or adequate oversight, creating risks of political instrumentalisation of taxpayer money and conflicts of interest; calls on the Commission to ensure Removed: the allocation of adequate and sustainable financial resources for civil society organisations and human rights defenders, in accordance with clear eligibility criteria and oversight mechanisms that would fully comply with existing transparency, accountability and spending rules, particularly in the context of shrinking civic space and increasing administrative burdens; in this regard, considers that the Commission and the Member States should provide adequate and consistent funding, matched to its objectives, for actors working to promote fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law, and underlines that access to EU funding must be fair, transparent and non-discriminatory; recalls that funding decisions must be based on objective, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria, in accordance with the Treaties and the Financial Regulation, ensuring sound financial management and the protection of the EU’s financial interests; Added: full public disclosure of all EU funding to NGOs, including contract details, funding criteria and performance monitoring, and to refrain from financing activities that serve particular political objectives rather than the general public interest;

Wording as published by the EP, in English. PE783.226v01-00