The manifesto, which is being sent to English candidates standing in the elections, calls for all political parties to endorse the role of the voluntary sector in EU society and commit them to recognising its importance in developing European policy.

"With this manifesto, we are setting out our vision for an enlarged Europe based on rights and values, and for a Union which represents a progressive force for peace, solidarity, justice and equality both within its borders and globally," it reads.

The manifesto, supported by a number of NCVO's members including, Amnesty International, RSPB, NSPCC, One World Action and RNIB, as well as BOND (a network of NGOs working in international development), also calls on parties to endorse a range of recommendations on policy issues such as ageing, development, the environment and human rights.

Chief executive of NCVO Stuart Etherington said he hoped the launch would encourage British charities to engage more actively in European issues. "We are trying to open up for organisations domestically a greater understanding of the leverage points they have in the EU and the extent to which the EU is playing a role in the public policy areas in which they are involved," he said. The European Commission, he pointed out, dispenses more than €1 billion a year to NGOs and voluntary groups, and much of UK's employment and social legislation originates in the EU.

Representatives from the RNIB and One World Action also attended the launch to outline the relevance of the EU to their work and urged other charities to become involved in influencing the policy debate at a European level.

"Our point is that the EU is not just about Europe, it has a huge influence on the rest of the world, and if we work with it and with civil society across Europe. we will get a more just and equitable world," said Graham Bennett, chief executive of One World Action.