EP2024 Coalition of CSOs

Our biggest project so far this year was “EP2024 Coalition”. We built a coalition of over 20 value-aligned CSOs and campaigns who worked together to make their election-related campaigning efforts more impactful. The causes we fought for within the coalition ranged from animal rights, tax justice or conservation of pollinators to human rights protection in Gaza and LGBTQIA+ rights. We built a custom-made set of tools for effective digital campaigning, and a comprehensive, interactive database of thousands of candidates across the EU.

Most of the coalition members set up “pledges” for the candidates to sign. Candidates were asked to support particular causes and to undertake concrete steps, if elected. Coalition members also mobilised their supporters, “ordinary” citizens, to write to the candidates and making it clear what they expect in exchange for their votes: action.

The project kept us busy for the first half of the year and produced results we are proud of:

We have mapped over 7100 (!) candidates across the EU;
We built a group of over a hundred database contributors;
We supported over 20 different campaigns, most of them backed by dozens of national and European organisations;
We hosted and promoted 18 different pledges and ten mail-to-target campaigns;
We collected 2384 candidate signatures and empowered 102’000 citizens to write to the candidates before the election;
Several pledges initiated within EP2024 remain active now and are open to new MEPs allowing our coalition members to look for potential new allies within the new EP.

A few words about our campaigns:

ATTAC EUROPE

Attac Europe’s campaign advocates for a progressive and fair tax system in the EU to reduce economic inequality, proposing a European financial transactions tax, a wealth tax to fund climate efforts, and a minimum corporate tax on multinational profits. It aims to create a unified European tax system and a European fiscal authority. The campaign seeked to leverage the 2024 European elections to garner support from political forces, civil society, and the media. ATTAC Europe set up a pledge for the candidates and a mail-to-target action.

BEE LIFE EU

The campaign for a pollinators-friendly European Union aims to protect pollinators through collective action, science-based policies, and support for agroecological transitions. It focuses on legislative reforms, including the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR) and the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), to halt and reverse pollinator decline and enhance environmental resilience. Additionally, the campaign promotes policy evaluation, habitat protection, stakeholder engagement, and awareness-raising efforts to ensure sustainable development and pollinator health. Bee Life asked the candidates to sign their pledge.

CHEM TRUST

CHEM Trust fights for a toxic-free future in the EU, highlighting the urgency of addressing chemical pollution which threatens our environment and health. It calls on candidates in the 2024 European elections to commit to policies ensuring toxic-free products, toys and water by signing their pledge. The campaign emphasises that the next parliament and commission should have the power to implement these essential measures for a healthier future.

CITIZENS TAKE OVER EUROPE

Through their “Democratic Manifesto for European Elections” CTOE calls for greater democratisation of the EU through enhanced civic participation and transparency. It urges 2024 European Parliament candidates to address democratic deficits by implementing proposals from the Conference on the Future of Europe, creating permanent citizens’ assemblies, and reforming the European Citizens’ Initiative. The campaign also demands a pan-European referendum system, electoral reforms, transparency in lobbying, and protection for civil society to ensure a robust democratic ecosystem throughout Europe. It asked candidates to support their asks.

CORPORATE EUROPE OBSERVATORY (CEO)

CEO published a guide for the candidates in which it urges them to recognise and combat the significant influence of corporate lobbyists in EU institutions. “The Candidates ‘ Guide To Corporate Capture In The EU Institutions – And What To Do About It” details the pervasive impact of corporate lobbying on policies related to climate, technology, environment and public health, and offers strategies and reform proposals to counteract this influence. CEO wrote to the candidates encouraging them to join other MEPs in defending democratic decision-making and to engage with CEO for further collaboration.

DEMOCRACY INTERNATIONAL (DI) AND FEDERATION FOR INNOVATION IN DEMOCRACY (FIDE)

Through their Democratic Wave campaign DI and FIDE seek to address the risk of democratic decline in Europe by advocating for enhanced citizen participation and democratic reforms within the EU. The campaign emphasises the importance of empowering citizens to shape the future of Europe through initiatives like the European Citizens’ Initiative and Citizens’ Assemblies, urging MEP candidates to prioritise democratic reform efforts. The campaign aims to strengthen EU democracy by promoting inclusive engagement, transparency, and accountability, highlighting the urgency of these reforms in safeguarding European values and resilience against growing anti-democratic forces.

The EUROPEAN COORDINATION OF COMMITTEES AND ASSOCIATIONS FOR PALESTINE (ECCP)

ECCP’s “Vote Palestine” campaign urges electoral candidates to pledge their commitment to international law and human rights by signing the “Stand for international law, Vote for Palestine!” pledge. By signing, candidates promise to advocate for the implementation of international law, UN resolutions, and ICJ rulings, supporting the rights of Palestinians and calling for an end to the occupation, colonisation, and siege in Gaza, as well as advocating for EU trade policies that align with these principles. The campaign emphasises the importance of amplifying voices for justice and protection, particularly for those at grave risk in Palestine. ECCP also asks citizens to engage with the candidates and encourage them to sign the “Vote Palestine” pledge.

EUROGROUP FOR ANIMALS

EfA’s “Vote for Animals” campaign aims to strengthen animal welfare legislation in the EU by demanding ambitious, humane, and progressive laws. It calls for specific measures, including banning slaughter without stunning, improving standards for farmed animals, ending live animal transport, and protecting aquatic species. Additionally, it advocates for tighter regulations on imported animal-based products, accelerating the transition to non-animal science, banning fur farming and products, enhancing care for companion animals, and appointing an EU Commissioner for Animal Welfare to ensure accountability and action. EfA set up their very successful pledge for candidates and a mail-to-target action.

EUROPEAN ALTERNATIVES

Through their “Europe by the Many” campaign, EA advocates for a people-powered Europe by challenging the status quo of corporate dominance and political minimalism, which exacerbates crises like climate change and inequality. By redistributing power to local actors and prioritising the rights of vulnerable communities, it aims to create a more inclusive and democratic Europe shaped by the many. Through collective action and commitment to radical alternatives, it seeks to counter hate, discrimination, and exclusion, paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future. They set up a pledge for candidates and a mail-to-target action.

FIERCE

FIERCE’s campaign aims to promote gender equality and combat discrimination and violence against women and LGBTQIA+ individuals in Europe. By advocating for policy changes that prioritise the rights and safety of marginalised groups (including migrants, refugees, and people of colour), FIERCE seeks to create a more inclusive and just society. Through collaboration with grassroots organisations and policymakers, the campaign strives to enact meaningful legislative reforms and foster societal change towards gender equality and social justice. FIERCE asks candidates to support their cause by signing the pledge.

LJUBLJANA PRIDE

Ljubljana Pride calls for explicit protection of sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression in EU policies, laws, and responses to the diverse needs of LGBTQIA+ people. They promote “Come Out 4 Europe Pledge 2024” set up by ILGA Europe by asking their supporters to write to the Slovenian candidates for the European Parliament. The pledge advocates for active engagement in wider issues of democracy, rule of law, and inequality while defending LGBTQIA+ rights. The pledge also entails holding EU member states accountable for human rights violations, supporting civil society organisations, championing LGBTQIA+ rights internationally, and advocating for the adoption and implementation of a robust EU LGBTQIA+ Equality Strategy. Ljubljana Pride maintains a list of Slovenian candidates to the EP who signed the pledge.

MORE THAN ENOUGH

The “More Than Enough” campaign calls for a shift towards well-being-focused policies over GDP growth, advocating for alternative progress indicators. It emphasises reducing resource consumption by 65% by 2050, prioritising social and environmental sustainability. Additionally, it promotes wealth redistribution through progressive taxation, public ownership of essential services, job guarantees, and policies to limit overconsumption and promote global solidarity. More Than Enough asks the Belgian candidates to the European Parliament, as well as the candidates for the regional and federal parliaments, to sign their pledge. It also encourages citizens to write to the candidates directly through their mail-to-target action.

POLLINIS

Pollinis urge French candidates for the European Parliament to commit to protecting biodiversity by reforming pesticide evaluations once elected. By signing Pollinis pledge, candidates commit to initiate the reform of the pesticide risk assessment system within the European Union upon their election. This reform aims to ensure that toxicity tests are conducted by public health and environmental agencies (rather than the companies producing and marketing the pesticides) with updated protocols reflecting the latest scientific knowledge for more accurate assessments. Pollinis also empower their supporters to write to the candidates directly through their mail-to-target action.

POWER SHIFT

The campaign urges EP candidates to prioritise people and the planet over profit in trade policy. Candidates are asked to reject harmful trade deals like EU-Mercosur, prioritise workers’ rights, support environmentally-friendly local food systems, and halt the export of banned products. Additionally, the pledge calls for the elimination of corporate tribunals, an increase in transparency, and more democratic participation in trade negotiations. Citizens write to the candidates through the mail-to-target widget.

Social Platform and Civil Society Europe have been leading the campaign “Civil Society for EU”, supported by 230+ organisations all over Europe. The campaign aims to improve the recognition of civil society’s role in European democracies and strengthen civic space and civil dialogue within the EU. By signing the CS4EU pledge, candidates commit to strive for the European Union to better recognise, safeguard, support and engage with civil society at all levels.

SMOKE FREE PARTNERSHIP

SFP’s “One Minute One Life” campaign aims to achieve a tobacco-free generation in Europe by 2040, emphasising the EU’s role in implementing vital legislation to reduce tobacco-related mortality and protect public budgets. It calls for champions to accelerate EU actions, support evidence-based measures at a national level, and address emerging challenges like the rise of vaping and environmental impacts of tobacco consumption. Candidates to the European Parliament supporting SFP’s cause are asked to sign their pledge.

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION EUROPE

Surfrider’s “Blue Up” campaign advocates for comprehensive action to address ocean pollution, promote sustainable blue economies, mitigate climate change impacts, protect marine biodiversity, preserve ocean health, and enhance democratic governance in decision-making processes related to marine issues. It emphasises the urgency of reducing pollution sources, overfishing, emissions, and harmful activities in order to safeguard marine ecosystems and human well-being. By signing Surfrider’s pledge, candidates commit to prioritise marine conservation, sustainable practices, and inclusive governance to ensure a healthier future for our oceans and coastal communities.

TACKLE

TACKLE’s “Pact for Equality” campaign calls on European Parliament candidates to commit to fostering dialogue with civil society organisations, racialised communities, and trade unions over the next five years to address rising discrimination and hatred in Europe. By signing the pledge, candidates promise to strengthen the EU’s anti-discrimination framework, address structural racism, and engage in inclusive decision-making processes that prioritise input from affected communities and stakeholders. They also commit to promoting policy changes, addressing post-colonial legacies, and working with national and local authorities to combat racism and discrimination effectively.

TAX JUSTICE EUROPE

Tax Justice Europe ask the EP candidates to ensure that multinational corporations pay their fair share of taxes in each country of operation and transparently report their activities. Candidates who sign the Tax Justice pledge also commit to push for a revised corporate tax system that treats multinationals as single entities, allocates taxing rights to countries based on the level of value creation and economic activity that the corporation has in each country, and establishes a minimum effective corporate tax rate. Additionally, it involves endorsing an inclusive global tax reform through a United Nations-led intergovernmental tax commission, protecting tax whistle-blowers and journalists, and promoting fair, progressive, and gender-responsive tax systems while ending harmful tax practices and tax havens. Tax Justice encourages the citizens to write to the candidates and ask them to sign their pledge.

Union Régionale UFC – Que Choisir de Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Campagne Glyphosate France, Générations Futures, Notre affaire à tous, Pollinis et Secrets Toxiques

The coalition drafted an open letter addressed to French candidates for the European Parliament in which they highlight the significant health impacts of pesticides, criticise inadequate risk evaluations, and emphasise the detrimental effects of intensive pesticide use on biodiversity and food sovereignty. The coalition advocates for a shift towards organic farming methods and calls on the candidates to commit to pesticide reduction by signing their pledge. Candidates are invited to submit their written comments, some of which will be published by the coalition.