International Day of Democracy: The Wheel Highlights Role of Nonprofits in Safeguarding Democracy

To mark the United Nations’ International Day of Democracy (15 September), The Wheel, Ireland’s national association of charities, has highlighted the essential role of the nonprofit sector in safeguarding democracy, both in Ireland and across Europe.

Community and voluntary organisations ensure that the voices of citizens, particularly those most vulnerable or marginalised, are heard and shape decision-making. They support social cohesion by creating and supporting shared spaces, responding immediately to crises to rescue populations impacted, and providing essential services that complement the role of the State.

Speaking today, Guillaume Jacquinot, Advocacy and Campaign Manager at The Wheel, said:

“Democracy cannot thrive without a strong and independent nonprofit sector. Our organisations not only provide frontline supports to people in need, but also hold governments to account, ensuring that policy reflects the lived experiences of citizens. Both the Irish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights enshrine our right to participate, critique, and engage in public life, rights that must be fully protected and resourced if democracy is to flourish.”

Mr. Jacquinot also noted the growing challenges for civil society across Europe:

“We are witnessing an increase in anti-NGO sentiment and shrinking civic space for dialogue in parts of Europe. The EU’s first-ever Civil Society Strategy, initiated by Commissioner on Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, is a vital initiative to safeguard democracy. Mechanisms such as the Civil Society Platform and the Democracy Shield can help ensure that non-governmental organisations are free to represent the diversity of people’s voices without fear or restriction.”

Mr Jacquinot said that "in this regard I warmly welcome the comments of Commissioner McGrath on Sept 10th last when he stated " A vibrant civil society is essential to our democratic resilience, The Commission will be coming forward with a dedicated EU Civil Society Strategy, together with the European Democracy Shield, to support civil society actors in their day-to-day work, to strengthen dialogue, and further protect and support them."

The Wheel is looking forward to working closely with Commissioner McCrath's office and the Irish government to:

• Preserve and continue to develop spaces for civic dialogue through structures such as the Civic Forum and the Health Dialogue Forum.
• Ensure funding agreements explicitly protect the right of organisations engaging in advocacy to campaign and critique government policy without risk to their independence.

The above initiatives should be combined with the provision of sustainable funding to enable community and voluntary sector organisations delivering services on behalf of the state to continue their essential work in supporting vulnerable groups, maintaining social cohesion, and preserving democracy.

Ireland has a proud tradition of community action and voluntary effort. By supporting the sector, the State honours its obligations under the Council of Europe, including the Venice Commission guidelines on Freedom of Association, which state:

“Governmental and quasi-governmental mechanisms at all levels should ensure and facilitate the effective participation of NGOs without discrimination in dialogue and consultation on public policy objectives and decisions.”

On this International Day of Democracy, The Wheel urges policymakers to recognise that protecting and resourcing civil society is protecting democracy itself.sourcing civil society is protecting democracy itself.