From September 16 to 18, 2024, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) hosted an Expert Workshop on Civic Space Monitoring and Protection in Vienna. The workshop gathered experts, practitioners, and civil society representatives to discuss the state of civic space across Europe. Participants exchanged insights on civic space monitoring practices, terminology, and gaps in the EU’s monitoring systems. Interactive sessions highlighted the importance of coherence between ongoing initiatives and explored ways to enhance protection through improved cooperation. Anja Bosilkova Antovska, Head of Policy and Advocacy at BCSDN shared the network’s Monitoring Matrix methodology, a tool for assessing and reporting on the civil society environment. The event concluded with discussions on developing an EU-wide framework, integrating early warning systems, and better data use to protect civil society and human rights defenders across Europe. Read more here.
Source: BCSDN