Can European Union (EU) social NGOs co-operate to promote EU social policy?

This article examines why, despite similar general interests, institutional positions and political constraints, EU social NGOs find it so difficult t o develop co-operative strategies except on the most fundamental issues. To demonstrate these difficulties the article considers the general reasons f or and against co-operation between social NGOs and then examines the diffi culties and advantages of collective EU social NGO action during the 1998 N GO funding crisis, Red Card protest and civil dialogue. The article argues that there is a fundamental desire for, and are benefits from, close co-ope ration between the EU social NGOs. However, due to the complex 'context str ucture' within which NGOs must operate, this co-operative impetus is consta ntly undermined. In conclusion, the article argues that social NGOs will re main weak and insignificant actors until the Commission/Parliament and/or t he social NGOs can organise the complex context structure and allow co-oper ative strategies to emerge.