The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) has today launched its new civil society platform on drugs, a dedicated online space designed to strengthen cooperation with civil society organisations (CSOs) across Europe.
Civil society plays a vital role in understanding how drug-related issues affect people and communities in real life. Through their on-the-ground experience and direct engagement with affected populations, CSOs provide essential insights that help ensure that policies and responses are effective, inclusive and meet emerging needs.
The new platform provides a structured framework for information exchange, knowledge sharing and consultation between the EUDA and CSOs. It will enable organisations to contribute expertise, engage in dialogue with the agency and stay informed about key developments in the drugs field.
The initiative reflects the EUDA’s mandate to work closely with civil society, as set out in its founding regulation (Article 55), which recognises the importance of their knowledge, experience and first-hand insight. It also aligns with broader EU priorities, including the EU Drugs Strategy and the EU Strategy for Civil Society, which call for stronger participation, open dialogue and evidence-informed policymaking.
The platform is open to a wide range of eligible organisations, including non-governmental, voluntary, non-profit and community organisations, people with lived and living experience, and representatives of affected communities. It marks an important step in ensuring that diverse perspectives continue to inform the EU’s response to drug-related challenges.
The agency has also launched a new webpage dedicated to EUDA engagement with civil society explaining how the agency collaborates with CSOs, the criteria for joining the platform and how to register.
