On Tuesday 17 April morning, Members of the European Parliament debated with European Commission representatives about the necessity to set up a new funding instrument in order to help the work of civil society organisations, which promote fundamental values in the Member States at local and national level. The resolution strongly supported by the ALDE Group stresses the need for the EU to develop new and effective ways to protect and promote fundamental European values within the Union - not just in third countries.

"One of the tasks of civil society is to challenge people in power, to challenge governments. It's called checks and balances & is the very core of democracy, " argued ALDE Group Vice President Sophie in ‘t Veld MEP.

.@SophieintVeld on a European Values Instrument | "One of the tasks of civil society is to challenge people in power, to challenge governments. It's called checks and balances & is the very core of democracy." #EPlenary🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/W5xP4DkmxC

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) April 17, 2018

ALDE Party Vice President Angelika Mlinar MEP also reacted: "There can be no functioning democracy without a functioning civil society. I call on the EU to set up a European Values Instrument to ensure funding and support for these organisations. Together we can defend our common European values."

"There can be no functioning democracy without a functioning civil society. I call on the EU to set up a European Values Instrument to ensure funding & support for these organizations. Together we can defend our common European values." @AngelikaMlinar at #EPlenary🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/LsqN3GoWkU

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) April 17, 2018

"Civil society organisations need our help to carry out their work in promoting #fundamentalrights & the #RuleofLaw. We call on the EU to set up a new European Values Instrument to ensure adequate funding." says @AngelikaMlinar #ValesFirst pic.twitter.com/uys3k6KdjW

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) April 17, 2018