A total of 67 NGOs sent an open letter on Wednesday urging Romanian officials to support strengthening the AgoraEU programme and to oppose any cuts to its budget line.

In the letter addressed to President Nicusor Dan and acting Foreign Minister Oana Toiu, the signatories note that, on October 10, the Irish presidency of the EU Council proposed a 30% cut (approximately EUR 2.3 billion) to the AgoraEU programme, described as the EU's only funding instrument dedicated to democracy, fundamental rights, civil society, culture and independent media.

'Despite its strategic importance, the AgoraEU budget represents only 0.43% of the total budget proposed by the European Commission. Given the scale of the challenges facing our democracy, this is the time to increase, not reduce, investment in this programme, which is essential to the EU's democratic infrastructure and resilience. (...) Romania should take a position within the Council to propose strengthening the AgoraEU programme and oppose any cuts to its budget line,' the organisations said.

The NGOs point out that more than 560 European organisations from the cultural, media and civil society sectors have called for increased funding for the AgoraEU programme in a joint letter. In its interim report, the European Parliament subsequently called for a 25% increase in the programme's allocation (10.72 billion euros at current prices).

'AgoraEU should be seen as an investment in democratic resilience across the European Union. Culture, independent media, the rule of law and fundamental rights are cross-border public goods. Democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space and attacks on artistic freedom, press freedom or the rule of law in any member state directly affect the stability, credibility and functioning of the entire Union. Even when funds are allocated outside a particular member state, all member states benefit from a more stable, rules-based and resilient Union,' the letter states.

Among the signatories are CeRe: Centre for Resources for Public Participation, ActiveWatch, Agent Green, the Centre for Independent Journalism, the Centre for Legal Resources, the Accept Association, Funky Citizens, Expert Forum (EFOR), the Urban Nature Network, the World Vision Romania Foundation and the Eco-Civica Foundation. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Irinela Visan; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)