The 9th Civil Society Forum for Sustainability, held in Brussels on 4-5 November, brought together more than 70 civil society organisations (CSOs) from across Europe. Organised by SOLIDAR, SDG Watch Europe, and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), this final edition of the Forum focused on strategising on the SDGs and Agenda 30, and discussing the European Green Deal.

Key Discussions and Insights

The Forum opened with a panel discussion on strategic priorities for civil society engagement. Moderator Hanna Gunnarrson of WECF opened with reflections on the recent UN Summit of the Future. Ingo Ritz, Director of Global Call to Action Against Poverty, highlighted the increasing polarisation between the Global North and South, particularly concerning debt and economic justice. He emphasised the importance of the 2025 World Social Summit as a crucial opportunity for civil society to advocate for greater engagement.

Patrizia Heidegger, Deputy Secretary General of the EEB, noted significant progress on environmental goals, including stronger rules on resource use and waste, more robust climate targets and new eco-design standards. However, she pointed out that major obstacles remain, such as insufficient fiscal commitments for decarbonisation and dematerialisation.

SOLIDAR Secretary General Mikael Leyi addressed social justice concerns, highlighting rising poverty rates and declining social indicators. He stressed the need for a coherent policy framework for a just transition and better integration of social and environmental justice goals. Mikael emphasised the importance of a just and sustainable transition that addresses both social and environmental concerns:

SOLIDAR believes that we need to advocate for a different economic development model, one that actively fights discrimination, eradicates poverty, promotes the universal right to access to quality education, lifelong learning and all essential services, while at the same time addressing the increasing burdens of the ongoing climate and environmental crisis

Leyi also called on civil society to mobilise against growing nationalist and far-right movements in EU member states.

Workshops and Policy Recommendations

Across the two-day Forum, nine thematic civil society workshops were held and the Forum participants heard from a variety of inspiring speakers from the academic and civil society spheres, as well as collaborating to develop policy recommendations for the incoming European Commission and EU Parliament. Alongside the workshops on emerging themes for civil society, a closing dialogue with civil society organisations was held to reflect on their ideas at the end of the two days of discussions.

Conclusion

The Forum concluded with a closing dialogue, allowing CSOs to reflect on the ideas discussed over the two days. Participants emphasised the need for economic system change, social justice, a just transition and greater adherence to policy coherence for sustainable development in all EU policies and processes.