CollectiveUP at the European Parliament
We are thrilled to announce that our Founder and CEO, Liliana Carrillo, has been invited to speak at the European Parliament for a high-level policy discussion that strikes at the very heart of European democracy.
The context: A turning point for Europe
Across the European Union, the space for civic action is facing unprecedented pressure. From geopolitical shifts to social polarization, the environment for civil society organizations and human rights defenders is becoming increasingly complex.
Safeguarding this space through monitoring and coordinated response is no longer just an "extra", it is a central pillar of Europe’s democratic resilience.
The event: "Navigating Civic Space in an Age of Geopolitical and Social Upheaval"
This event marks the final gathering of the Civic Champions project, co-funded by the European Union CERV program. Hosted by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Giorgos Georgiou, the session will bring together key policymakers and thought leaders to discuss how we can empower activists and organizations to uphold democratic values.
- 📅 When: Wednesday, 18 March 2026 | 15:30 – 17:00 (CET)
- 📍 Where: European Parliament, Brussels (Room: SPAAK 7C50)
- 🎙️ Moderator: Rositsa Dzhekova (Center for the Study of Democracy)
A high-level panel
Liliana will be joining an esteemed panel to discuss "Empowering civic society organisations and activists in upholding democratic values and resilience". She will be sharing the stage with:
- Ilaria Salis, MEP (The Left group in the European Parliament)
- Kristian Vigenin, MEP (Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament)
- Thijs Berman, Executive Director of the European Partnership for Democracy
- Nadia Karayianni, Head of Business Development at CARDET
Why this matters for CollectiveUP
At CollectiveUP, most of our work is to facilitate the power of collective action and resilient systems. Being part of this dialogue at the European Parliament allows us to contribute our perspective on how policy can better support the "Civic Champions" who work tirelessly across Member States.
Join Us!
Are you passionate about the future of democracy in Europe? We invite our network to join the conversation.
🔗 Register for the event by 16 March 2026: here
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