Our Impact

5500+ resources

Our research has helped develop the theoretical basis for our field and has been endorsed by the Dalai Lama, Vaclav Havel, Desmond Tutu, and other global civil society leaders.

100+ laws

We have worked with thousands of partners to successfully promote the passage of laws that strengthen civic freedoms, philanthropy, and public participation.

7000+ partners

We work alongside our partners to navigate evolving legal environments for civil society, philanthropy, and public participation, around the world.

For over 30 years, we have worked closely with partners in more than 100 countries to promote civic freedoms and improve the legal environment for civil society. Here are some of our proudest accomplishments:

all staff group photo

Our Latest Impact Stories

Map of South America

Although the freedom of association is enshrined in constitutions across the Americas, restrictions to this right are common. ICNL...

EU Flag waved at protest

In early 2023, Georgians took to the streets to protest a highly restrictive draft foreign agent law. Within days...

Woman waving a flag

In Myanmar, civic space drastically contracted after the February 2021 coup. By supporting relocation, ICNL enables our partners to...

ICNL team

ICNL and partner CIPESA created a space where civil society, lawyers and tech experts can come together to exchange...

AI Governance

Malicious actors have unleashed disinformation campaigns to undermine elections. Authoritarian governments are using technology to censor free speech. ICNL...

American flag crocheted around a tree in a Brooklyn Park. (Photo: Andriy Prokopenko/Getty)

Firearms pose an urgent threat to the exercise of First Amendment rights of free expression and peaceful assembly in...

For more stories and news about our work, visit our news page here.

Notable Memberships

One of two civil society organizations on the board of the UN Democracy Fund

Consultative status with ECOSOC

Serves on the board of InterAction and CIVICUS

From Our Partners & Supporters

“ICNL has been with us since 2012, assisting us – not leading, but helping us lead – by providing expertise. We trust them.”

—Khin Lay, director of the Women’s Triangle Association in Myanmar

“Without [ICNL’s] support, this work on civil society would have been almost impossible to deliver.”

—Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin, UN Special Rapporteur

“ICNL’s support ensured we were able to streamline the process of importing vital medical supplies and help the most affected communities during the peak of the pandemic.”

Kanykei Sharapova, Lawyer for Elim Barsynby in Kyrgyzstan

“Thanks to support from ICNL, nonprofits were able to…engage in effective advocacy with regulators. We now have a more enabling environment for civil society to thrive.”

Oyebisi B. Oluseyi, NNNGO president and ICNL Board Member