On 19-20 November 2025, ENNHRI held two important events in Brussels: its latest General Assembly and a panel discussion with key partners. At the General Assembly, ENNHRI adopted its new Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and next year’s Operational Plan. The partnership event then opened this new strategic chapter. National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and representatives from international and regional organisations and civil society reflected on strengthening alliances and reinforcing common work to advance democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

General Assembly ushers in start of a new strategic phase

ENNHRI’s latest General Assembly meeting included over 70 representatives from European NHRIs, who gathered in Brussels on 19 November 2025. Significantly, the General Assembly voted to adopt the network’s Strategic Plan 2026-2030. With human rights under ever-increasing pressure, this has an increased focus on resilience, preparedness, alliances, and connectedness for European NHRIs. Over the next five years, it will serve as the foundation and compass for ENNHRI’s work.

The occasion also offered a chance to reflect. ENNHRI’s Board, Secretary General, Finance Chair and Working Group Chairs reported on milestones from the previous six months.

See a selection of photos from the General Assembly.

Stronger partnerships for a stronger future

On 20 November, representatives from NHRIs, regional and international organisations, and civil society gathered to reflect on two key questions:

• How to collectively respond to the complex challenges faced and maximise NHRIs’ potential to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and human rights?
• What opportunities does ENNHRI’s new Strategic Plan offer in this respect?

Partners’ insights included that it is important to:

• Ensure the inclusion and emphasise the value of NHRIs in political and decision-making processes, while also amplifying the visibility of them and their recommendations. This should be done both within and beyond the EU.
• Reinvigorate trust in human rights, democracy and the rule of law by being clear and showing that these are solutions to and safeguards against issues people face. This ‘value’ needs to be communicated more clearly and accessibly, with the ‘movable middle’ a key audience.
• Ringfence sufficient funding for NHRIs and civil society, including in the EU’s upcoming long-term budget. It is also essential to provide technical support and facilitate experience sharing with and among NHRIs.
• Work together on boosting internal resilience and preparedness of institutions. This strengthens their ability to withstand the increasing external shocks and challenges faced.
• Be flexible and ready to revisit approaches, being more agile and less formalistic. Doing things differently, including working with new actors, can help in finding novel ways to achieve common goals.
• Pool resources and knowledge in this uncertain funding environment for human rights.
• Present common fronts and reinforce positions on critical issues.

ENNHRI extends its thanks to all speakers and moderators for their rich contributions to the discussions. See the full list of speakers and moderators.

The event has laid the foundations to usher in the network’s next strategic phase and work with partners to maximise NHRIs’ potential to strengthen the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights.

Look through photos from the event here and here.