The European Commission in a communication to the Parliament and the Council promised to improve the position of civil society. On pages 29 and 30 the Commission reports:

Civil society organisations and human rights defenders are crucial for upholding EU values. They serve as watchdogs, drawing attention to threats to the rule of law, promoting democratic values and contributing to ensure that those in power remain accountable. (…) 

However, the trend noted in previous Reports of increasing challenges for civil society, with new legal restrictions, insufficient funding or physical and verbal attacks, has continued.

In the conclusion on page 33 the Commission announces the European Democracy Shield and a new Civil Society Strategy that is supposed to promote and protect the role of civil society organisations across the EU.

My comment: it would be wonderful if the EU could remove the nonprofit from the defendant’s bench in the areas of money laundering and terrorist financing, as this would promote the flourishing of civil society.