A new study, based on CSOs in Czechia, Hungary, and Bulgaria, reveals that a CSO’s ability to withstand political hostility and funding withdrawal is determined primarily by its internal attributes, not just the external environment. Analyzing CSOs that faced pressure between 2010 and 2019, the research highlights that while many organizations reduced staff or replaced lost funding, the most successful ones reframed their work to find new audiences. This pivotal response was enabled by three key factors: Flexible missions not tied to specific activities, inclusive decision-making structures that still enable consensus, and adaptive leadership willing to try new approaches and reach different audiences. As global funding decreases and political pressure rises, CSOs should focus on cultivating these internal characteristics to build long-term resilience and sustainability. Read more here.
Source: JoNI
