CSOs in Germany are increasingly facing allegations and attempts at delegitimisation, with growing claims that they exert political influence under the guise of non-profit status and with public funding. A new publication, The Anti-NGO Narrative provides a fact-based analysis of these accusations and shows how such narratives work. The accompanying factsheet subjects the main allegations to a fact-check and presents current data on the development of civil society in Germany, revealing that there are around 662,789 registered CSOs representing a wide range of interests. CSOs are shown to be diverse and reflective of society as a whole, encompassing liberal, conservative, and even right-wing extremist associations. Far from holding state power or silencing others, CSOs raise awareness, highlight injustices, and defend democratic spaces for public discourse, which are increasingly under threat from hate speech. Read more here.
Source: Maecenata Foundation
