Organised by the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association, alongside the EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs, Czechia, Ireland, Poland, Spain, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Union, the European Union Drugs Agency and the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs

With the rise of authoritarian regimes and far-right governments, the adoption of foreign agent laws and severe funding restrictions, civil society space is facing backlashes across Europe. This side event reflected on this reality and discussed positive examples of civil society engagement in drug policymaking processes. Speakers included Artur Malczewski (Polish EU Presidency), Ganna Dovbakh (EHRA), Aura Roig (Metzineres), Danilo Ballotta (EUDA), Lucie Laffont (European Commission) and Zaved Mahmood (OHCHR), with the discussion moderated by Marie Nougier (IDPC/CSFD). Speakers highlighted the fundamental and unique role played by civil society in shaping, evaluating and implementing innovative, intersectional, evidence-based and rights-informed drug policies and programmes, both at national level and with EU institutions. Speakers called for the protection of, and adequate funding for civil society, in particular people most affected by drug policies.