The “Scrutiny Working Group on NGO Financing” in the European Parliament and shrinking civic space: What does this mean for civil society?

Civic space under attack in the European Parliament  On 19 June 2025, a ‘Scrutiny Working Group on NGO Financing’ (SWG) was established within the European Parliament’s Budgetary Control Committee following a proposal by the European People’s Party Group (EPP) in the European Parliament. The committee was extended on 13 May 2026. Its remit was to “investigate how NGOs have…