The latest European Democracy Hub report highlights how civil society worldwide faces increasingly severe and existential threats, with restrictions intensifying in speed and scale. Regimes are moving beyond ad hoc measures to undermine the existence of an independent civic sphere, while cuts in western funding further weaken CSOs. The report argues that new thinking is needed in an era of geopolitical competition. It outlines key approaches: treating civic space as part of foreign and security policy through civic diplomacy, addressing transnational anti-democratic networks; strengthening narratives to counter illiberal framing and build civic power; reducing reliance on donor funding through crowdfunding, social enterprise, and local philanthropy; supporting relocated activists as part of de-territorialised civic action; recognising independent media as essential democratic infrastructure; using pre-emptive transparency to counter restrictive measures; and reframing support for civil society as a political priority, linked to broader strategic interests and influence. Find the report here.
Source: European Partnership for Democracy