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@eucivilsociety.bsky.socialOct 14, 2026, 8:01 AM

💭 We continue highlighting the power of many. This week, we hear from Maria Groenewald, Director of VOICE.

Learn more about our ‘Voices of Millions campaign’ here: bit.ly/4tqscgh

#VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Image of speaker Maria Groenewald with quote in front that says "I know the value of a strong voice at Brussels' level. Alone, we might go faster, but together, we go further."VOICE is the largest European humanitarian NGO network promoting effective humanitarian action worldwide. Our 94 members are active in sectors like food and nutrition, health, water and sanitation, and shelter in countries affected by natural disasters, armed conflicts and emergency situations. We bring these organisations expertise into European humanitarian policymaking. Humanitarian challenges do not stop at national borders, so neither should our advocacy. VOICE was created to provide humanitarian NGOs with a collective voice in discussions with the European Union and enable national organisations to influence EU humanitarian policy. Having previously worked for two VOICE members, I know the value of a strong voice at Brussels’ level from a members’ perspective. Alone, we might go faster, but together, we go further. With our members, we recently contributed to the EU’s Joint Communication on Humanitarian Aid. We called on the EU to maintain its lead in the global humanitarian landscape, strengthen its approach to humanitarian action, and reaffirm its commitment to international humanitarian law. Another example of our work with members is our ‘Humanitarian Action Works’ campaign, showing the real impact of humanitarian assistance through stories from affected communities. When we see a record number of people living in humanitarian crises, the collective engagement as European humanitarian civil society is more needed than ever. Why? We remind the EU that we care, we demonstrate European solidarity, we respond when disasters hit, like in Venezuela or in Nepal, principled and jointly with our local and national partners. Without VOICE, our members would have far fewer opportunities to bring humanitarian experience into European policymaking. The humanitarian community would lose a strong collective civil society voice, at a time when more people than ever are living in humanitarian crises.
@eucivilsociety.bsky.socialSep 29, 2026, 8:01 AM

💭 We continue to put a spotlight on stories of positive impact from civil society. This week, we hear from Eleni Karaoli, Chairperson of the Cyprus Anti-Poverty Network.

Learn more about our ‘Voices of Millions campaign’ here: bit.ly/4tqscgh

#VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Quote that says 'Our goal is systemic change so everyone can live with dignity and equality opportunity - Eleni Karaoli, Chairperson of Cyprus Anti-Poverty Network'. Voices of Millions logo is in lower left corner and co-funded by EU logo is in lower right corner. Cyprus Anti-Poverty Network represents over 15 civil society and non-profit groups in Cyprus. We work towards reducing poverty and promoting social inclusion for vulnerable groups. Our goal is systemic change so everyone can live with dignity and equal opportunity. We were established to represent Cypriot civil society within the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN). Joining the EU network gave us access to expertise, evidence-based policy tools, and coordinated advocacy at EU level. This connection amplified our voice with national authorities and allowed shared strategies and best practices to be adapted in Cyprus. A major achievement was contributing to the development of the national Guarantee Minimum Income (GMI). EAPN provided expertise, policy papers, and arguments that helped shape our national advocacy and submissions to authorities. As a result, the GMI now supports people in real need. Without benefits, poverty in Cyprus would be about 34%, whereas with benefits it falls to around 17%. Another result is progress on a required minimum wage for certain low-paid jobs, which helps prevent exploitation and raises basic income. As we’re led by volunteers, we rely on the research, policy papers, training, and advocacy tools produced by EAPN. These resources allow us to produce informed positions and run targeted campaigns on themes like women’s poverty, energy poverty, and in-work poverty. Working together also helps us respond collectively to directives, regulations, and strategies at EU level (e.g., EU Anti-Poverty Strategy). Without EU networks, we would lose access to these crucial tools. National advocacy would be less informed about EU processes, weakening our influence. Society would face fragmented efforts, which would lead to less progress on poverty reduction.
@eucivilsociety.bsky.socialSep 16, 2026, 8:01 AM

We need to work together for change. This week, we hear from Valeria Emmi at CESVI as part of ‘The Power of Many’ series from our ‘Voices of Millions’ campaign!

Learn more: bit.ly/4svMm7X

#VoicesOfMillions #ThePowerOfMany #EUCivilSociety

Picture in a circle of speaker Valeria Emmi with quotation underneath, which ways "If CESVI were not part of an EU network, its ability to influence policy and amplify its impact would be significantly reduced."CESVI is an independent, Italian not-for-profit organisation supporting people affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters. Our mission is to turn social justice into action by empowering communities —especially women, children and marginalised groups— to achieve autonomy and dignity, while addressing the root causes of crises and strengthening sustainable, locally driven development. But to create lasting change, we need to work together. This is why CESVI is a member of Alliance2015, working alongside like-minded NGOs to heighten our impact. Together, we recognise that strong, inclusive policies must be based on evidence.Alliance2015 plays a pivotal role in shaping EU food security and humanitarian action by providing evidence for advocacy tools like the Global Hunger Index. Through this, we aim to encourage EU decision-makers to create more resilient food systems that can respond effectively to hunger and longer crises. This is reflected in stronger humanitarian aid programmes that include local leadership and a more integrated approach to such challenges. For people affected by crisis and food insecurity, this translates into more effective support systems: better access to nutritious food, greater resilience to shocks, and assistance that reaches those who need it most.To achieve change at national level, CESVI connects EU commitments with practical action through Alliance2015, strengthening cooperation programmes. Without this partnership, CESVI’s ability to influence policy would be significantly reduced, with less access to shared evidence, advocacy platforms, and strategic policy dialogue. For society, this would mean less effective humanitarian and development action overall. Policies would risk becoming more fragmented, less evidence-driven, and less responsive to crises like hunger, climate shocks, and forced displacement.