We develop long term relationships with civil society, governments, and the international community to strengthen civic space. Explore our regional resources:
Our Newest Content
Resources
Our international staff and network of experts maintain an up-to-date knowledge base of over five thousand resources, including innovative research, original analysis, and more. Here are some of our key collections:
Civic Freedom Monitor
We work with a global network of partners to monitor developments related to civic space. The CFM provides current information on civil society law in more than 50 countries and 8 multilateral organizations.
Country Resources
We maintain a robust collection of country-specific resources, including research and analysis, as well as curated information on a diverse array of issues affecting civic space.
Digital Legal Library
This directory contains nearly 4,000 documents, including domestic and international laws, in more than 60 languages from every UN member state and several autonomous territories.
Global Grantmaking Country Notes
In partnership with the Council on Foundations, ICNL maintains reports on thirty-four countries that help U.S grantmakers undertake equivalency determinations for foreign grantees. This report series describe nonprofit organizations’ legal frameworks and provide translations of relevant legislative provisions.
Civic Space 2040
How can we proactively shape the trends transforming our future? How can we protect and expand civic space in the process? The Civic Space 2040 initiative helps answer these questions by crafting a positive vision for the future and strategies to make it a reality.
Research & Analysis Highlights
Renewable Energy & Civic Space
The immediacy of the climate crisis cannot be overstated, and an energy transition is both critical and overdue. However, the urgency to switch to renewable technologies cannot bypass civil society and grassroots actors.
Localization & Civic Space
Localization—giving local partners more ownership of development initiatives—is a priority for the development community. Local organizations that can lead, design, and implement effective projects are indispensable to this agenda.
General Comment 37
The UN Human Rights Committee’s general comment offers comprehensive guidance on the right of peaceful assembly, as enshrined in Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.