On 19 November 2024, EPLO organised a Civil Society Dialogue Network (CSDN) NGO-Roundtable meeting in The Hague. The meeting brought together around twenty Dutch-based peacebuilding civil society organisations to exchange views on the political context for peacebuilding under the current Dutch government and on the Netherlands’ engagement with the European Union on peace and fragility in external action. Discussions aimed to support a shared understanding of advocacy opportunities and challenges.
Participants discussed changes affecting the environment for peacebuilding organisations, including proposed funding cuts and shrinking civic space. They reflected on how narratives around peacebuilding are shaped by broader political developments, including rising populism, militarised approaches to security and increasing disinformation.
The meeting also examined strategies for adapting advocacy and communication approaches, including engagement with new allies and sectors. Participants discussed localisation, cooperation with EU actors, and opportunities for coordination among civil society organisations to strengthen engagement on peacebuilding within Dutch and EU policy debates.
