What we did together this year
December 10, 2025
By Till Ehrmann
2025 was a tough year. We saw so much of what we hold dear under attack: protections on our planet, our rights and our future.
Perhaps, more surprisingly, our leaders showed what they were ready to do, for those with deep pockets. But we held strong. And continued to stand for what this community believes in - a livable planet, democracy and equal rights for all.
We did so much together this year. We won many battles, and none would have been possible without your support.
Huge wins for nature and our planet
Together, we stopped a disastrous dam project that would have devastated Europe’s own ‘Amazon’ (Polesia, in Poland). We teamed up with local and international partners and nearly 145,000 of us demanded action. We raised funds to hire a media expert - one community member even created a mini-documentary! We ramped up the pressure on Polish decision-makers during the elections. And it worked. Polesia is safe, for now. [1]
When we heard the European Commission wanted to weaken protection for seals, thousands of people from this community spoke up. Thanks to our collective pressure, the Commission shifted its position and committed to protecting seals. [2]
Conservatives and extremist forces tried to water down Europe’s climate ambitions. But together with partner organisations in Brussels we held the line: our community flooded ministers and MEPs with messages and protected Europe’s climate goals. This is our win. We will continue to stay alert for attacks from climate deniers. [3]
Fast fashion is polluting our planet. Together with clean-clothes organisations we pressured the Commission to green light an Eco-score for clothes in France. French shoppers can now see the environmental impact of any piece of clothing they buy with this simple label. Next step: bringing this to the rest of Europe! Watch this space. [4]
Defending our rights against extremists’ attacks
Extremist politicians tried to cut off funding for NGOs working against toxic pesticides or ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS - trusted partners that we regularly campaign with. But we made sure they failed. With the help of many of the groups impacted we pushed back. We gave our leaders the backing to stay strong and keep this important funding for environment and health organisations alive. [5]
Together, we blocked dangerous Trump-style surveillance powers for Europe’s police agency Europol. Leaders wanted to collect swaths of data to spy on people seeking safety and those who help them. Just before the vote, hundreds of messages from our community hit lawmakers’ inboxes. And the worst proposals were scrapped! A vital line of defence for civil liberties, won together. [6]
Standing up for love and equality
Extremists tried to silence anti-racist voices in the European Parliament by preventing French scholar Maboula Soumahoro from speaking. But this community stood up to say: not on our watch. The result? Soumahoro took the floor at a powerful event in the EU Parliament. [7] We sent a clear message: hate has no place in our institutions.
When the Hungarian government tried to ban the Pride march in Budapest and threaten activists with fines and charges, our community responded. We worked together with the event organisers to get more public visibility. We urged EU lawmakers to show solidarity and help protect the parade with their presence. More than 70 MEPs marched alongside the LGBTQ+ community. Over 200.000 people showed up - Hungary’s biggest pride ever! Together, we made it impossible for the government to silence love. [8]
Reminding Big Tech who Europe works for
We stood up to Big Tech’s powergrab - from profit-hungry Google to Musk’s X spreading lies and hate online. We funded an investigation into X and public polling on tech giant’s power. We took to the streets of Brussels with mobile billboards. With the help of our partners, our message made news across the continent and piled pressure on decision-makers. [9] And they listened. Now the Commission will take X's rule-breaking seriously and has already fined Google €2.95 billion.
A global fight we carry close to our hearts
For two years, Gaza has faced devastation while many European governments stayed silent. But this community refused to look away. Together we stepped up and demanded EU governments recognise Palestine, stop trading with Israel and act to end to the genocide. We phoned and emailed leaders, sent them postcards, took to the streets and set up camp in front of the EU Commission. We called out their complicity and drove an ad van with our message around Brussels. [10]
Together, and as part of a movement of millions across the globe, we started to break through as more EU countries recognised Palestine and decided to apply sanctions against Israel. [11] The situation in Gaza remains unbearable. But whatever progress we made was only thanks to people power.
Next year we will continue to fight for the Palestinian people and to end the genocide.
This is what happens when people who believe governments, leaders, and corporations should be accountable to them, come together. We get our power from each other, and together we make great things happen.
Every campaign we run is made up of actions, big and small. From renting ad spaces to sending postcards. It’s all funded by people like you and me, donating what we can. By chipping in the price of a cup of coffee each week, we power the winning campaigns we all get behind.
A special mention goes to the incredible organisations across Europe who we work with to make every one of these wins possible. No change is possible without working together - as a community and with others across the continent.
. We teamed up with local and international partners and nearly 145,000 of us demanded action. We raised funds to hire a media expert - one community member even created a mini-documentary! We ramped up the pressure on Polish decision-makers during the elections. And it worked. Polesia is safe, for now. [1]
When we heard the European Commission wanted to weaken protection for seals, thousands of people from this community spoke up. Thanks to our collective pressure, the Commission shifted its position and committed to protecting seals. [2]
Conservatives and extremist forces tried to water down Europe’s climate ambitions. But together with partner organisations in Brussels we held the line: our community flooded ministers and MEPs with messages and protected Europe’s climate goals. This is our win. We will continue to stay alert for attacks from climate deniers. [3]
Fast fashion is polluting our planet. Together with clean-clothes organisations we pressured the Commission to green light an Eco-score for clothes in France. French shoppers can now see the environmental impact of any piece of clothing they buy with this simple label. Next step: bringing this to the rest of Europe! Watch this space. [4]
**Defending our rights against extremists’ attacks**
Extremist politicians tried to cut off funding for NGOs working against toxic pesticides or ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS - trusted partners that we regularly campaign with. But we made sure they failed. With the help of many of the groups impacted we pushed back. We gave our leaders the backing to stay strong and keep this important funding for environment and health organisations alive. [5]
Together, we blocked dangerous Trump-style surveillance powers for Europe’s police agency Europol. Leaders wanted to collect swaths of data to spy on people seeking safety and those who help them. Just before the vote, hundreds of messages from our community hit lawmakers’ inboxes. And the worst proposals were scrapped! A vital line of defence for civil liberties, won together. [6]
**Standing up for love and equality**
Extremists tried to silence anti-racist voices in the European Parliament by preventing French scholar Maboula Soumahoro from speaking. But this community stood up to say: not on our watch. The result? Soumahoro took the floor at a powerful event in the EU Parliament. [7] We sent a clear message: hate has no place in our institutions.
When the Hungarian government tried to ban the Pride march in Budapest and threaten activists with fines and charges, our community responded. We worked together with the event organisers to get more public visibility. We urged EU lawmakers to show solidarity and help protect the parade with their presence. More than 70 MEPs marched alongside the LGBTQ+ community. Over 200.000 people showed up - Hungary’s biggest pride ever! Together, we made it impossible for the government to silence love. [8]
**Reminding Big Tech who Europe works for**
We stood up to Big Tech’s powergrab - from profit-hungry Google to Musk’s X spreading lies and hate online. We funded an investigation into X and public polling on tech giant’s power. We took to the streets of Brussels with mobile billboards. With the help of our partners, our message made news across the continent and piled pressure on decision-makers. [9] And they listened. Now the Commission will take X's rule-breaking seriously and has already fined Google €2.95 billion.
**A global fight we carry close to our hearts**
For two years, Gaza has faced devastation while many European governments stayed silent. But this community refused to look away. Together we stepped up and demanded EU governments recognise Palestine, stop trading with Israel and act to end to the genocide. We phoned and emailed leaders, sent them postcards, took to the streets and set up camp in front of the EU Commission. We called out their complicity and drove an ad van with our message around Brussels. [10]
Together, and as part of a movement of millions across the globe, we started to break through as more EU countries recognised Palestine and decided to apply sanctions against Israel. [11] The situation in Gaza remains unbearable. But whatever progress we made was only thanks to people power.
Next year we will continue to fight for the Palestinian people and to end the genocide.
This is what happens when people who believe governments, leaders, and corporations should be accountable to them, come together. We get our power from each other, and together we make great things happen.
Every campaign we run is made up of actions, big and small. From renting ad spaces to sending postcards. It’s all funded by people like you and me, donating what we can. By chipping in the price of a cup of coffee each week, we power the winning campaigns we all get behind.
A special mention goes to the incredible organisations across Europe who we work with to make every one of these wins possible. No change is possible without working together - as a community and with others across the continent.
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