Defending Civil Society

Over the past five years, 81 countries have proposed at least 315 legislative initiatives that impact civil society.

Of these initiatives, 85% have been restrictive. The trend is truly global, with no geographic region immune. Restrictions have emerged in both authoritarian and democratic states, ranging from barriers to forming organizations and intrusive oversight procedures to limits on access to resources and the exercise of rights online.

However, it’s not all bad news. Dozens of states have also introduced initiatives that enhance civic space. Moreover, ICNL works to strengthen our partners – civil society organizations, government reformers, donors, and diplomats – to counter restrictive measures and ensure that civil society can operate effectively.

(Icon credit: Kokota & Swifticons)

Key Initiatives

Civic Space Initiative

The Civic Space Initiative is an alliance of four global organizations—ICNL, Article 19, CIVICUS, and the World Movement for Democracy—that seeks to create a world in which civil society can thrive.

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Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund

Through the Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund, ICNL provides rapid-response advocacy and resiliency grants to civil society organizations coping with urgent threats to freedoms of association, expression, and assembly.

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Enabling & Protecting Civic Space

ICNL is a core partner in the Illuminating New Solutions and Programmatic Innovations for Resilient Spaces consortium, which tackles threats to civil society with cutting-edge research, strategic interventions, and a robust learning agenda.

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Key Resources

Effective Donor Responses to the Challenge of Closing Civic Space

This 2018 report examines the ways in which donor governments can effectively support civic space in challenging environments.

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Defending Civil Society, Second Edition

This 2012 report provides examples of the legal barriers that governments use to constrain civic space and articulates international legal principles to protect civil society.

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A Global Assault on Nonprofits

This 2015 Journal of Democracy article by ICNL president Douglas Rutzen summarizes recent developments in the global crackdown on civil society.

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All Defending Civil Society Resources

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Findings

Jaipur Column at Rashtrapati Bhavan New Delhi
Although India achieved a high level of technical compliance overall, FATF notes that India needs ... Read More

Analysis of the Implementing Regulations to the Kyrgyz Republic Law on Foreign Representatives

Aerial View of Bishkek City
This analysis reviews the Implementing Regulations to the Law on Foreign Representatives, adopted by the ... Read More

Implications of the Implementing Regulation to the Law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence

Street view of Georgian Ministry of Justice
This overview provides interpretations and analysis of the requirements in the Regulation to help NNLEs ... Read More

Review of the Implementing Regulation to the Law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence

parliament hall, georgia. photo credit creative commons
On August 1, 2024, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia (MoJ) adopted the “Rule for ... Read More

Legislative Overview for Financial Sustainability for Civil Society in Central Asia

kazakhstan, photo credit Nozim Nurillaev via Unsplash
This Legislative Overview examines the regulation of civil society organizations’ key sources of income and ... Read More

Elections and Civic Space: Lessons from Africa

UN Clement Nyaletsossi Voule
Special Rapporteur, Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, addresses the trends, developments and challenges threatening civil society’s access ... Read More
Explore our full resource collection, which includes reports, legal analysis, and curated collections of materials covering an array of issues impacting civic space around the world.