Earlier this month, we participated in the launch of the 2025 Civil Society State of the Union, organised by Civil Society Europe and co-hosted by European Parliament Vice-Presidents Katarina Barley and Nicolae Ștefănuță. During the event, the official 2025 Civil Society State of the Union report was unveiled.
Addressed to EU institutions and Member States, the report serves both as a response to the current challenges facing the European Union and as a roadmap for a more democratic, inclusive, and participatory future. It presents key challenges along with concrete proposals to strengthen civic space and uphold fundamental rights across the EU. Since 2023, Civil Society Europe’s dedicated working group has been advancing the proposals that emerged from the Conference on the Future of Europe, with a strong focus on promoting civic engagement.
The high-level launch event brought together leading figures from civil society to present the report’s main findings. Our colleagues Elisa Lironi and Nicolò Triacca co-chaired the subgroup responsible for Chapter 5: A Digital Transformation that Leaves No One Behind in the EU, working in collaboration with a broad network of civil society organisations across three key focus areas: Co-designing an European Digital Space, Building Digital Skills and Education, Investing in Digital Infrastructure and Accessibility.
This chapter addresses the growing risks of digital exclusion and calls for inclusive, citizen-centred digital policies that protect rights and enhance democratic participation.
At the European Parliament event, our Project Coordinator, Nicolò Triacca, presented the chapter’s key recommendations. He highlighted the crucial role of civil society in co-shaping a digital transition that is rights-based, inclusive, and democratic—ensuring that no one, especially the most vulnerable, is left behind.
