We believe that all people have the right to join together to make their communities and the world a better place. To achieve this, everyone needs a safe, legal environment that supports civic freedoms, philanthropy, and public participation.

We work with civil society organizations, governments, and the international community to strengthen the legal environment for civil society. For more than twenty-five years, ICNL has worked alongside partners in more than 100 countries, providing us with in-depth expertise from local to global contexts.

ICNL works to promote and strengthen civic freedoms, public participation, and philanthropy around the world. In doing so, we focus on five core themes:

ICNL explores a wide range of issues affecting civic freedoms around the world. We also keep track of emerging trends that will shape civic space in the future. Our global staff and network of partners maintain a knowledge base that is open to everyone.

Our work is also organized by geographic region. Explore more below.