The EU System for an Enabling Environment (EU SEE) analysis of 1,218 recommendations from 54 Country Focus Reports identifies recurring challenges affecting civil society across regions. Access to sustainable resources emerges as the leading concern, driven by declining traditional donor funding, dependence on short-term project support and administrative barriers that particularly affect smaller and local organisations. Restrictions on fundamental civic freedoms also feature prominently, including laws affecting expression, association and assembly, as well as stigmatisation, surveillance, digital repression and inadequate protection of defenders and journalists. The analysis further identifies gaps in digital security, public legitimacy and meaningful participation, while regional and transnational challenges receive comparatively limited attention. Its recommendations emphasise more flexible and sustainable funding, stronger CSO capacities, legal and regulatory reforms, improved protection mechanisms, and greater investment in digital security and stronger public narratives. Read more here.
Source: EU SEE