22-24 April 2026
Between the 22-24 April 2026, European Movement Ireland brought a delegation of 10 Irish Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from various sectors to Brussels to meet with EU institutions and policymakers ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Women’s Aid, Black and Irish, LGBT Ireland, Irish Traveler Movement, Irish Rural Link, Disability Federation Ireland, Irish Refugee Council, Youth Work Ireland, Environmental Justice Network Ireland, and CyberSafeKids joined European Movement Ireland in a series of meetings with Commissioner McGrath’s cabinet at the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, Irish MEP’s in the European Parliament, and the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, to gain and provide insight, as well as highlight the issues and priorities they believe should be advanced at an EU-level.
Key topics discussed included how civil society will be incorporated in mutual dialogue as part of the new EU Civil Society Strategy and Platform, how to protect and ensure minority voices are advocated in the EU Democracy Shield, protecting human rights defenders such as Women’s organisations who face hostility online and in media spaces, youth participation, children’s online safety, the Migration and Asylum Pact, in which concerns were raised about it prioritising speed/deterrence over fairness, environmental concerns relating to EU policymaking, ensuring disability rights are prioritised, ensuring adequate rural investment, and the protection of LGBTQIA+ rights. Moreover, CSOs discussed how Irish MEPs can voice civil society’s concerns and expertise in the European Parliament, and how Irish civil society organisations can engage with the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, starting on 1 July 2026.
This delegation highlighted the benefits of Irish civil society’s engagement with the EU, and we aim to continue and expand our engagement between the two in this crucial year.
“A fantastic opportunity provided by EMI to understand how Brussels institutions work. It was great engaging with MEPs, meeting other CSOs advocating on the same issues and placing migrant voices on the EU radar at a critical time with Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency”.
“CyberSafeKids was delighted to be invited to take part in the delegation to Brussels. We met representatives from all the main bodies involved in setting regulation, policy making and civil society liaison and got an opportunity to present our priorities and concerns. The trip was very informative, well-organised and enjoyable. The other delegates and the staff from EMI…
“While EU institutions often seem distant from national work, meeting key stakeholders—such as Irish Permanent Representative to the EU’s senior officials, and with Irish MEPs further deepened my knowledge. It has generated further opportunities for DFI, and broadened my understanding of how as an organisation we can influence and make an impact at the European level.”
“The access to decision-makers that the schedule provided was fantastic and enabled us to platform our asks across a range of issues at a high level. The discussions with EMI and the other delegates while in Brussels have provided us with lots of ideas for future collaboration and there is a high potential for this work…
