The rapid spread of Covid-19 is not only affecting our lives and the global economy in unprecedented ways but is also deeply changing the way our governments and local authorities work. Not only companies, but also NGOs and individuals increasingly face new challenges when it comes to engaging with the public, stakeholders and governments on non- Covid19-related issues. In particular, as the virus continues to spread across our countries, there is a need for a safe conversation aimed at discussing how NGOs can prepare for a reality and near future heavily shaped by COVID-19. By enticing an unusually high level of sustained popular attention, COVID-19 is set to engender a unique, emotionally shared reaction to a shared political experience. As such, this may offer a long-overdue ‘constitutional moment’ for Europe.

This session will be addressing some of the following questions:

- Does COVID-19 threaten EU civil society or does it rather empower it further?

- How may civil society play a greater role in defending the rule of law in a post-COVID19 world? - What instruments, approaches are available?

- What structural factors make civil society’s engagement difficult within and across the EU?

Moderator: Alex Andrione-Moylan (Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies)