The European Civic Forum (ECF) report highlights a concerning trend of shrinking civic space across Europe, while also showcasing the resilience of civil society organizations (CSOs) in pushing back against these challenges.
Western Balkans Civic Space Under Pressure: A BCSDN Analysis
The latest “Civic Space Report 2025” from the European Civic Forum, with a significant contribution from the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), paints a challenging picture for civic space across the Western Balkans. The findings reveal a concerning trend of shrinking freedoms and increasing pressure on civil society organizations (CSOs), activists, and journalists.
Key Challenges Highlighted by BCSDN:
- Erosion of Fundamental Freedoms: The report underscores persistent legal and political constraints that directly impact basic freedoms in the region. This is particularly evident in countries such as Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where civic space is notably shrinking.
- Targeted Harassment and Intimidation: Activists and journalists are increasingly subjected to threats, including smear campaigns, legal harassment (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation – SLAPPs), and arbitrary detentions, stifling independent voices.
- Financial Vulnerability: CSOs face significant hurdles due to scarce, opaque, and politically controlled public funding, alongside burdensome financial regulations. This limits their ability to operate effectively and independently.
- Diminished Dialogue and Participation: Relations between governments and CSOs are deteriorating, leading to limited meaningful participation of civil society in public dialogue and crucial policymaking processes.
Implications for Democracy and EU Accession:
These trends have profound implications for democratic governance and the EU accession aspirations of the Western Balkan countries. The report emphasizes that, despite legal guarantees, the effective implementation of these remains weak, contributing to an environment where the rule of law and fundamental rights are under threat. While CSOs in the region continue their vital work in advocacy, exposing violations, and fostering regional cooperation, the external pressures are making their efforts increasingly difficult.
The European Commission’s recognition of these challenges in its 2024 Rule of Law report for accession countries further solidifies the need for urgent action to protect and expand civic space in the Western Balkans.
Significant Challenges to Civic Space:
Intensified Attack on Civic Space: Europe is experiencing an unprecedented attack on civic space, with significant restrictions observed in several member states, including France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Rise of Far-Right and Scapegoating: The growing popularity of far-right political groups in 2024 has negatively impacted civic space, leading to widespread scapegoating of already excluded social groups.
Questioning Human Rights Conventions: Governments are increasingly questioning the credibility and applicability of international human rights conventions.
Restrictive Laws and New Proposals: Existing laws restricting civic space remain in effect despite calls for reform, and new proposals, such as “foreign agents” laws and measures targeting peaceful protests and migration, are being introduced.
Restrictions on Peaceful Assembly: The freedom of peaceful assembly is increasingly restricted, with disproportionate targeting of Palestine solidarity and environmental rights movements.
Criminalization of Solidarity: The criminalization of solidarity, particularly concerning migrants, remains a serious concern, reinforced by the EU’s militarized and securitized approach to migration.
Deliberate Delegitimization of Civil Society: There is a conscious strategy to delegitimize civil society at both the national and EU levels. CSOs, activists, and journalists face growing pressure through legal intimidation and smear campaigns. Narratives of “foreign interventions” are used to negatively impact organizations working on anti-discrimination, climate justice, LGBTQI+, and migrants’ rights.
Worsening Funding Landscape: The financial environment for civil society has deteriorated, with governments threatening to withdraw public funding from critical and watchdog organizations. The debate over public funding for CSOs engaged in civil dialogue and advocacy is a growing concern. Additionally, the freeze of USAID funds has a significant impact on Europe.
Limited Participation and Engagement: Spaces for civil society participation and political engagement are increasingly under pressure, with CSOs often sidelined or tokenized in policymaking processes.
The ECF bases its analysis on six crucial elements for an open and vibrant civic space:
- A conducive institutional, political, and socio-economic landscape.
- Respect for civic freedoms (association, peaceful assembly, expression).
- Safe space and states’ duty to protect civil society actors from attacks.
- A supportive framework for CSOs’ financial viability and sustainability.
- Dialogue between civil society and governing bodies.
- Civil society’s resilience in the face of challenges to democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights.
For more detailed information, please refer to the full report: Civic Space Report 2025, published by the European Civic Forum.