Dossier

It is time for a European Association Statute!

So far there has been no separate legal status for associations organised at European level. This not only makes transnational cooperation more difficult, but also makes civil society vulnerable.

A new initiative by the European Parliament seeks to create a European Association Statute to strengthen and protect organised civil society.

Why is such a right of association important?

Why have previous attempts failed?

What makes the new initiative promising and how can it succeed?

We investigate these questions in this dossier.

A public consultation on the creation of the European Association Statute is available on the European Commission’s website until 28 October 2022.

“The time is right for a European Association”

Interview

As rapporteur for the European Parliament, MEP Sergey Lagodinsky has launched an initiative for a European legal framework for associations. With Christine Pütz, he discusses the objectives pursued and what it will take for the initiative to succeed.

By Dr. Christine Pütz

Bolstering European civil society! Making the case for a European Association Statute

Commentary

European associations and civil society organisations do not have their own legal status set out in the EU treaties to rely on. There are many good reasons to plug this gap and create a European Association Statute.

By Mirko Schwärzel

A study in perseverance… The timeline of initiatives towards a European statute for associations

Chronology

The European Parliament has provided fresh impetus for a European Association Statute, yet this is by no means new. Looking back over the various initiatives of the last 35 years to create a European legal form for associations reveals the challenges the new initiative must face.

By Mirko Schwärzel

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