We, the undersigned civil society organisations (CSOs), 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 organisation 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 organisations working to promote equality, democracy, and fundamental rights, we have seen first-hand 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 organisations 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 organisations 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.
According to ENAR, after ten months of questioning, auditing, and profound uncertainty, the organisation was notified late in July that its operating grant for 2026–2028 had been terminated, apparently over concerns about its operational and organisational capacity.
It should be noted that a year before, in July 2025, along with other EU grantees, ENAR was informed that it had successfully passed the evaluation required to sign its grant agreement.
However, among the 70 successful EU grantees, ENAR was the only one left without a signed agreement and, eventually, to face termination.
While ENAR has stated publicly that it has launched a legal challenge against this decision following its disagreement with the assessment behind the decision, the network faces a serious risk of closure. We support ENAR’s decision to seek legal recourse to assert its rights.
The prospect of Europe’s largest anti-racism network losing its core funding raises profound concerns for civil society across Europe.
If a long-standing civil society partner with a proven track record of programme implementation can face the loss of its core funding, every organisation working to defend equality, and fundamental rights has reason to be concerned.
Moreover, at a time when anti-racist organisations across Europe are operating in an increasingly hostile environment, the consequences of weakening the infrastructure that supports independent anti-racist civil society extend far beyond a single organisation.
The future of ENAR is not simply about one network. It concerns the resilience of Europe’s anti-racism movement, the ability of racialised communities to be represented, and the European Union’s commitment to supporting an independent and vibrant civil society.
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
- European Civic Forum
- Academia Cidadã
- Estonian LGBT Association
- Subjective Values Foundation
- PRO PUBLICO
- CCIE (Collective Against Islamophobia in Europe)
- Lithuanian The National Coalition of Non -Governmental Organisations (NGO Coalition)
- Peace Institute Ljubljana
- UEF Hungary
- Dança AfroAveiro
- Eurochild
- ARCI
- Nyt Europa
- Access Now
- Apna Haq
- Asociacion Por Ti Mujer
- Greek Forum of Migrants
- Agora Association
- Multi Kulti Collective
- VOIS Cyprus
- Jovesólides
- Amnesty International
- Giolli società cooperativa sociale
- European Center for Not -for-Profit Law (ECNL)
- EuroMed Rights
- Waterford Integration Services – Ireland
- Fair Play
- SOS Racism Denmark
- European Public Service Union [EPSU]
- Comité Grec de Solidarité Démocratique internationale ( EEDDA)
- The Shelter Students Refuge
- LDH (Ligue des droits humains – France)
- European Women’s Lobby
- SOLIDAR
- Voxeurop
- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
- Centre for Peace Studies
- CIDAC – Centro de Intervenção para o Desenvolvimento Amílcar Cabral
- Kif Kif vzw
- KISA – ACTION FOR EQUALITY, SUPPORT, ANTIRACISM
- Fundacja Inicjatywa Dom Otwarty
- VOICIFY -European Forum for Youth with Lived Migration Experiences
- Public Institution Roma Community Centre
- Mizan law group for Human rights
- SolidarityNow
- ARTICLE 19
- Asian Voices Europe
- European Disability Forum
- #DiasporaVote!
- 7amleh – The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media
- Digitalcourage
- Liga voor Mensenrechten
- ILGA World
- International Planned Parenthood Federation – European Network (IPPF EN)
- Friends of the Earth Europe
- ALT -TEXT
- SETCa FGTB – Bruxelles Hal Vilvorde
- PICUM
- European Digital Rights (EDRi)
- Politiscope
- Civil Society Alliance Greece
- Europia
- D3 – Defesa dos Direitos Digitais
- ONE PEOPLE ASBL
- Lafede – justícia global
- International Rescue Committee (IRC)
- Läkare mot rasism
- International Federation of Resistance Fighters (FIR) – Association of Anti -Fascists
- IDPAD Coalition UK
- SIEMPRE asbl/vzw
- European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH)
- European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network
- Vredesactie
- Humanists International
- Coexister France
- Quaker Council for European Affairs
- END FGM EU
- Le MOC
- Changemakers Lab
- Humanity Diaspo
- Radio Africa
- Homo Digitalis
- Schwarze Frauen Community
- Swiss Minorities Sports Culture & Integration (Swiss Minors)
- ternYpe – International Roma Youth Network
- SUPERRR
- ESWA
- POUR LA SOLIDARITE
- Intersect Madrid
- SLOGA
- SKUHNA SO.P
- Volonteurope
- Human Rights Watch
- Change Partnership
- Meeting Points Foundation
- Mission Wings Foundation
- Òmnium Cultural – Catalonia
- Fem -R
- Northern Ireland Council for Racial Equality
- EAPN – European Anti-Poverty Network
- Revibra Europe
- Foundation SolidarityWorks
- Queer Varna Foundation
- The Wheel
- Fundación para la Innovación, Investigación, Formación y el Desarrollo Comunitario
- Povod Institute
- Forum za enakopraven razvoj
- Društvo Bodi svetloba
- Humanitas – Centre for Global Learning and Cooperation
- Irídia – Human Rights Defense Centre
- Romani Godi
- Orion Grid for Leadership and Authority
- COSPE
- Roma Feminist Collective
- Here to Support
- PI Roma Community Centre
- Balbriggan Integration Forum
- Queerstion Media
- Saúde das Mães Negras e Racializadas em Portugal (SaMaNe)
- Altera APS
- Asociacion Cultural Baizara
- Gibanje za pravice Palestincev
- Ljubljana Pride Association
- Democracy International e.V.
- Generation 2.0 RED
- Cap Magellan
- Maison de l’Europe de Paris
- Hand in Hand tegen racisme vzw
- World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
- European Movement Italy
- SEMPER SCOTLAND
- Stefan Batory Foundation
- Liberties
- Balkan Civil Society Development Network
- Greek Forum of Refugees
- Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO)
- TGEU – Trans Europe and Central Asia
- FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres)
- Irish Council for Civil Liberties
- Jeunes Européens – France
- Statewatch
- NOSOTRAS APS
- League For Defence Of Human Rights – Romania
- neue deutsche organisationen (ndo)
- Finnish League for Human Rights
- The Foundation Black Justice Poland
- New Women Connectors
- Collective for Inclusion and Against Islamophobia in Belgium
- Muslim Youth Federation – FJM ASBL
- Movement for Freedom, Inclusion, and Humanity – MLIH
- Meld Islamofobie (Report Islamophobia)
- Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos España
- LEVL vzw
- Dokumentation and Counseling Center against Islamophobia and Anti -Muslim Racism
- Union des progressistes juifs de Belgique
- Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC), Serbia
- BePax
- Vlaams Netwerk tegen Armoede
- International Network Against Cyber Hate
- EQUITAS (The European Network Against Islamophobia)
- FORWARD (Foundation of Women’s Health Research and Development)
- Attac France
- Equipop
- SOEPIC
- Hellenic League for Human Rights
- The National Council of Women of Finland (Naisjärjestöjen Keskusliitto)
- La Quadrature du Net
- Antigone
- G.FC. GENERATION FOR CHANGE CY
- Centre Bruxellois d’Action Interculturelle asbl (CBAI)
- Les Impactrices
- European Jews for Palestine
- Albanian Human Rights Group
- VoxPublic
- Ethnic Debate Forum – Denmark
- Schwarze Schafe e.V.
- Ökotárs -Hungarian Environmental Partnership Foundation
- PIC – Legal Center for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment
- Lunaria APS
- La Cimade
- Italian Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights (CILD)
- Youth Work Ireland
- Victoires Populaires
- New Europeans
- Défense des enfants International Belgique
- Roma Active Albania
- Fundacja Wymiany Kulturowej toTU toTAM
- Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa
- 4Change Coop Social e Cultural
- Plataforma Geni
- Portuguese Platform of Development NGOs
- P&D Factor – Associação para a Cooperação sobre População e Desenvolvimento
- International Youth Association TIP
- Drapen I Havet
- Stagona
- Civic Radauti Association
- ADC – Afro Danish Collective
- A livraria das Insurgentes
- ECCHR – European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights
- Centrum demokratického vzdělávání
- Protect Human Rights Defenders
- European Environmental Bureau
- SOS Racismo
- Qendra “Durrësi Aktiv”
- Cultura no Muro
- Associação ILGA Portugal
- Symbiosis
- EL*C – EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community
- Ligue des droits humains (LDH, Belgium)
- Entretodos – Ass. Portuguesa de Parcerias para o Desenvolvimento Social (Between)
- ILGA -Europe
- APPDI
- European Forum for Restorative Justice
- IHC
- HeForShe Coimbra
- University of Aveiro
- Federation of Young European Greens
- GRAAL