EPR joins 250+ organisations in letter against the potential withdrawal of the European Cross-Border Association Directive

EPR joins 250+ organisations in letter against the potential withdrawal of the European Cross-Border Association Directive

As explained in earlier news articles (available here), in its 2026 Work Programme, the European Commission proposed the withdrawal of the European Cross-Border Association Directive.

The ECBA Directive intends to create a new and additional legal form for non-profit association (the ECBA) at the national level in EU Member States, removing legal and administrative barriers of non-profit associations willing to have cross-border activities. The Directive would allow associations with membership and operations in different Member

States to be automatically recognised throughout the Union and would be able to engage in activities in all Member States. This Directive has been stuck in negotiations since 2024. 

Such a withdrawal would constitute a missed opportunity to non-profit organisations who have cross-border activities, or would like to start cross-border activities. This is why on 28 January 2026, EPR joined more than 250 organisations in a letter to EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, and Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné urging to reverse its withdrawal, and to keep it in the European Commission’s Work Programme.

The letter signed by EPR and 250+ organisations against the ECBA Directive withdrawal is available here.