Civil society organisations (CSOs) play a vital role in shaping and implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement by enhancing inclusivity, accountability, and local relevance. The European Union (EU), while a major actor in climate policy and finance, must significantly strengthen its engagement with CSOs in the Global South. Current EU frameworks often fall short in supporting subnational actors, integrating CSOs into foreign policy instruments, and ensuring accessible climate finance.
In this paper, we identify three priority areas for reform: glocalisation and sub-national action, internal reforms of EU instruments, and increased and better financing. We argue that the upcoming third generation of NDCs and COP30 present a key opportunity. The EU must act decisively to integrate civil society into the core of its climate diplomacy.
