Members of the Venice Commission Secretariat presented the Updated Rule of Law Checklist and participated in a panel on the Rule of Law and human rights, forming part of the launch of the EEA Civil Society Fund in Bulgaria in Sofia on 12 May 2026. 

Adopted at the Venice Commission’s December 2025 plenary session, the Updated Rule of Law Checklist is more than a legal document: it is a practical tool for parliaments and other state authorities, civil society and international organisations to assess the state of the Rule of Law objectively, thoroughly, transparently and equally, providing a holistic overview focused on essential criteria. The update of the Checklist reflects new challenges, including technological change and artificial intelligence, Rule of Law backsliding and growing private-sector influence. 

Presenting the Updated Rule of Law Checklist, the importance of a robust civic space was underlined as an essential element of checks and balances, requiring both legal guarantees and a supportive political culture and the use that could be made by civil society organisations of the checklist. 

The launch brought together representatives from ministries, international organisations and civil society to discuss civic space and the rule of law, highlighting support for civil society as an investment in Europe’s democratic resilience. Discussions focused on funding, partnerships, and challenges such as polarization, disinformation, hate speech, and attacks on NGOs, while stressing that democracy and rule of law depend not only on institutional reform, but also on participation, trust, and enabling conditions for civil society.