In line with the European Parliament study ‘The impact of the crisis on fundamental rights across Member States of the EU’, in their new statement SOLIDAR and Volonteurope call upon the European Institutions to empower civil society organisations to monitor applications of fundamental rights in Member States. In accordance with the Lisbon Treaty and the International Covenants, they are supposed to report back to the Commission’s Vice-President for fundamental rights to the ensure that every Commission proposal or initiative complies with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. According to SOLIDAR and Volonteurope, a right-based approach to structural reforms and social investment measures is needed, in order to prevent negative social consequences and to create conditions for the full respect and promotion of fundamental rights.