ICNL

Social media has become a vital tool for free expression around the world. Recognizing this growth, a number of countries have adopted regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and legal use of digital platforms and to prevent illicit online activities.

Tier Classification of the SDG Indicators as of April 2019

This document contains the updated tier classification, based on changes made by the Inter-agency and Expert Group on the Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) following its physical and vitural meetings since March 2016.

Closing Academic Space

Universities and other institutions of higher education around the world face increasing legislative, regulatory, and administrative limitations on their autonomy, ranging from state interference in their governance structures to controls on their academic programs.

activists in Palestine; analysis icon image

Contribution on the Human Rights Committee’s General Comment on Article 21

The UN Human Rights Committee recently announced that it would issue a General Comment on Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (the right to peaceful assembly).

Report on The Regulation of Foreign Funding of Nonprofits in a Democracy

UNSR report on the role of measures to address terrorism and violent extremism on closing civic space

in this report to the Human Rights Council, the UN special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism, Ms. Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, explores the connection between the increase in multilateral and national counterterrorism efforts and the global trend towards closing civic space.

Key Recommendations on Digital Technology and Civic Space in East Africa

On February 21-22, 2019, ICNL, along with our partners the Civil Society Reference Group and CIPESA, convened a consultative meeting in Nairobi, Kenya with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, Clément Voule, to discuss digital space and the protections of Freedoms of Association and Peaceful Assembly in Africa.

CSO Meter

In partnership with local experts and civil society organizations (CSOs), the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law has developed the CSO Meter, a pilot tool to monitor the environment in which CSOs operate in Eastern Partnership countries.

Monitoring the Right to Free Assembly in Eleven Countries

The right to free assembly is an indispensable element of democracy and a healthy civil society. Recent years have seen a new era of mass protests, but also a significant increase in practical restrictions on the right in Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries.

Untangling a Marriage of Convenience

This 2019 Global Center on Cooperative Security report reviews the history and structure of the global AML/CFT regime and assesses its effectiveness.

OpenNet Initiative Global Internet Filtering Map

The OpenNet Initiative tracks restrictions on access to the Internet in more than forty countries worldwide.

European Civil Society Watch

This online tool powered by the European Civic Forum gathers alerts from civil society, existing analyses, and institutional resources related to civic space in Europe.

Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation Progress Reports

The Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation works with over 160 participating governments to track progress in the implementation of the development effectiveness principles enshrined in the 2011 Busan Partnership Agreement.

CIVICUS Monitor

The CIVICUS Monitor is a web platform that provides constantly-updated information and analysis on the space for civil society and citizen activism in every country of the world.

Participants from the study tour were able to learn firsthand how the government and civil society organizations can effectively collaborate. (photo credit: ICNL)

Building Trust through Shared Learning in Central Asia

In June 2018, ICNL hosted a United States study tour for civil society representatives and government officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

A speaker at an ICNL-supported workshop on crowdfunding in Morocco. One participant concluded that the legalization of crowdfunding “could have a truly positive impact on Morocco’s development.” (Photo credit: ICNL)

Turning Research into Action in the Middle East and North Africa

Over the past two years, ICNL has worked with partners to conduct a landmark study of civic freedoms in Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan, and Kuwait.

In Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya, CSOs working on HIV issues face a host of regulatory challenges that limit their ability to carry out their work. (photo credit: Martha Welday/Trocaire)

Civic Space and the HIV Response in East Africa

In a February 2018 report from ICNL, we explored the impact of closing civic space on the HIV response in East Africa.

After the 2014 war with ISIS, Iraqi Kurdistan’s government increased restrictions on civic space, hampering civil society’s ability to do meaningful work. A turning point came in 2017, when Kurdish CSOs were able to successfully engage with the government to rebuild trust. (photo credit: funky-data)

Building Cooperation after Conflict in Iraqi Kurdistan

After the war with ISIS in 2014, Kurdistan’s regional government began to increase restrictions on civil society organizations (CSOs) – ostensibly for security purposes.

Overview of Fundraising in Azerbaijan

Fundraising campaigns, such as crowdfunding, text-to-give, and other electronic means, are increasingly popular in Eurasia.

Documento del Alcance de la Evaluación de Riesgo

Este documento apunta a brindar orientación sobre maneras de conducir el complejo escenario de la R8 del GAFI en relación con la puesta en marcha de una evaluación de riesgo.

Legal Framework for Fundraising Campaigns in Kyrgyzstan

Fundraising campaigns, such as crowdfunding, text-to-give, and other electronic means, are increasingly popular in Eurasia.

Overview of Fundraising in Kazakhstan

Fundraising campaigns, such as crowdfunding, text-to-give, and other electronic means, are increasingly popular in Eurasia.

Overview of Fundraising in Belarus

Fundraising campaigns, such as crowdfunding, text-to-give, and other electronic means, are increasingly popular in Eurasia.

In 2018, ICNL convened a group of organizations to address the growing trend of anti-protest laws in the United States. (photo credit: Joe Brusky)

Protecting Protest Through Coalition Building in the U.S.

In June 2018, ICNL convened a group of organizations to address the growing trend of anti-protest laws being introduced at the state and federal level in the United States.

textbook for civil society organizations; Judges gavel laying on wood table (Photo credit: Rawpixel/Unsplash)

U.S. Current Trend: Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation