(Brussels, October 06, 2026) – The European Commission’s decision not to continue funding the European Network Against Racism, a network of more than 140 organizations across Europe, will undermine the European Union’s democracy agenda, 186 nongovernmental organizations, including Human Rights Watch, said today. The following is their statement:
European NGOs Rally Behind Leading Anti-Racism Network, Expressing Alarm at the Commission’s Withdrawal of Its Funding
We, the undersigned civil society organizations, are deeply alarmed by reports that the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) has lost its EU operating grant after more than 20 years of successful partnership, a decision that could force the organization to shut down by the end of 2026. In a context of a growing assault on fundamental rights, this would seriously damage the EU's democracy agenda and undermine efforts to ensure an open and vibrant civic space.
As civil society organizations working to promote equality, democracy, and fundamental rights, we have seen firsthand the essential role that ENAR plays in promoting equality in Europe and the professionalism with which it works.
Founded in 1998, ENAR is Europe's largest anti-racism network, bringing together more than 140 anti-racist organizations across Europe. ENAR helped deliver the Race Equality Directive, the Employment Directive, pushed for the Anti-Racism Action Plan after George Floyd’s murder, and served as a key stakeholder for the European Commission’s first Anti-Racism Strategy. Moreover, it funds 20 grassroots organizations a year through its Empowerment and Resilience Fund.
It is precisely because of this strong track record and respected status that we were so shocked by reports that it has lost its core funding partnership with the European Commission.
We stand in full solidarity with ENAR and urge everyone who believes in equality and justice to consider supporting their fundraiser, Defend Anti-Racism.
List of signatories:
1. European Civic Forum
2. Academia Cidadã
3. Estonian LGBT Association
4. Subjective Values Foundation
5. PRO PUBLICO
6. CCIE (Collective Against Islamophobia in Europe)
7. Lithuanian The National Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO Coalition)
8. Peace Institute Ljubljana
9. UEF Hungary
10. Dança AfroAveiro
11. Eurochild
12. ARCI
13. Nyt Europa
14. Access Now
15. Apna Haq
16. Asociacion Por Ti Mujer
17. Greek Forum of Migrants
18. Agora Association
19. Multi Kulti Collective
20. VOIS Cyprus
21. Jovesólides
22. Amnesty International
23. Giolli società cooperativa sociale
24. European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL)
25. EuroMed Rights
26. Waterford Integration Services - Ireland
27. Fair Play
28. SOS Racism Denmark
29. European Public Service Union [EPSU]
30. Comité Grec de Solidarité Démocratique internationale ( EEDDA)
31. The Shelter Students Refuge
32. LDH (Ligue des droits humains - France)
33. European Women's Lobby
34. SOLIDAR
35. Voxeurop
36. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
37. Centre for Peace Studies
38. CIDAC - Centro de Intervenção para o Desenvolvimento Amílcar Cabral
39. Kif Kif vzw
40. KISA - ACTION FOR EQUALITY, SUPPORT, ANTIRACISM
41. Fundacja Inicjatywa Dom Otwarty
42. VOICIFY-European Forum for Youth with Lived Migration Experiences
43. Public Institution Roma Community Centre
44. Mizan law group for Human rights
45. SolidarityNow
46. ARTICLE 19
47. Asian Voices Europe
48. European Disability Forum
49. #DiasporaVote!
50. 7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media
51. Digitalcourage
52. Liga voor Mensenrechten
53. ILGA World
54. International Planned Parenthood Federation - European Network (IPPF EN)
55. Friends of the Earth Europe
56. ALT-TEXT
57. SETCa FGTB - Bruxelles Hal Vilvorde
58. PICUM
59. European Digital Rights (EDRi)
60. Politiscope
61. Civil Society Alliance Greece
62. Europia
63. D3 - Defesa dos Direitos Digitais
64. ONE PEOPLE ASBL
65. Lafede - justícia global
66. International Rescue Committee (IRC)
67. Läkare mot rasism
68. International Federation of Resistance Fighters (FIR) - Association of Anti-Fascists
69. IDPAD Coalition UK
70. SIEMPRE asbl/vzw
71. European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH)
72. European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network
73. Vredesactie
74. Humanists International
75. Coexister France
76. Quaker Council for European Affairs
77. END FGM EU
78. Le MOC
79. Changemakers Lab
80. Humanity Diaspo
81. Radio Africa
82. Homo Digitalis
83. Schwarze Frauen Community
84. Swiss Minorities Sports Culture & Integration (Swiss Minors)
85. ternYpe - International Roma Youth Network
86. SUPERRR
87. ESWA
88. POUR LA SOLIDARITE
89. Intersect Madrid
90. SLOGA
91. SKUHNA SO.P
92. Volonteurope
93. Human Rights Watch
94. Change Partnership
95. Meeting Points Foundation
96. Mission Wings Foundation
97. Òmnium Cultural - Catalonia
98. Fem-R
99. Northern Ireland Council for Racial Equality
100. EAPN - European Anti-Poverty Network
101. Revibra Europe
102. Foundation SolidarityWorks
103. Queer Varna Foundation
104. The Wheel
105. Fundación para la Innovación, Investigación, Formación y el Desarrollo Comunitario
106. Povod Institute
107. Forum za enakopraven razvoj
108. Društvo Bodi svetloba
109. Humanitas – Centre for Global Learning and Cooperation
110. Irídia - Human Rights Defense Centre
111. Romani Godi
112. Orion Grid for Leadership and Authority
113. COSPE
114. Roma Feminist Collective
115. Here to Support
116. PI Roma Community Centre
117. Balbriggan Integration Forum
118. Queerstion Media
119. Saúde das Mães Negras e Racializadas em Portugal (SaMaNe)
120. Altera APS
121. Asociacion Cultural Baizara
122. Gibanje za pravice Palestincev
123. Ljubljana Pride Association
124. Democracy International e.V.
125. Generation 2.0 RED
126. Cap Magellan
127. Maison de l'Europe de Paris
128. Hand in Hand tegen racisme vzw
129. World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
130. European Movement Italy
131. SEMPER SCOTLAND
132. Stefan Batory Foundation
133. Liberties
134. Balkan Civil Society Development Network
135. Greek Forum of Refugees
136. Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO)
137. TGEU – Trans Europe and Central Asia
138. FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres)
139. Irish Council for Civil Liberties
140. Jeunes Européens - France
141. Statewatch
142. NOSOTRAS APS
143. League For Defence Of Human Rights - Romania
144. neue deutsche organisationen (ndo)
145. Finnish League for Human Rights
146. The Foundation Black Justice Poland
147. New Women Connectors
148. Collective for Inclusion and Against Islamophobia in Belgium
149. Muslim Youth Federation - FJM ASBL
150. Movement for Freedom, Inclusion, and Humanity – MLIH
151. Meld Islamofobie (Report Islamophobia)
152. Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos España
153. LEVL vzw
154. Dokumentation and Counseling Center against Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Racism
155. Union des progressistes juifs de Belgique
156. Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC), Serbia
157. BePax
158. Vlaams Netwerk tegen Armoede
159. International Network Against Cyber Hate
160. EQUITAS (The European Network Against Islamophobia)
161. FORWARD (Foundation of Women's Health Research and Development)
162. Attac France
163. Equipop
164. SOEPIC
165. Hellenic League for Human Rights
166. The National Council of Women of Finland (Naisjärjestöjen Keskusliitto)
167. La Quadrature du Net
168. Antigone
169. G.FC. GENERATION FOR CHANGE CY
170. Centre Bruxellois d'Action Interculturelle asbl (CBAI)
171. Les Impactrices
172. European Jews for Palestine
173. Albanian Human Rights Group
174. VoxPublic
175. Ethnic Debate Forum - Denmark
176. Schwarze Schafe e.V.
177. Ökotárs-Hungarian Environmental Partnership Foundation
178. PIC - Legal Center for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment
179. Lunaria APS
180. La Cimade
181. Italian Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights (CILD)
182. Youth Work Ireland
183. Victoires Populaires
184. New Europeans
185. Défense des enfants International Belgique
186. Roma Active Albania
