Defending Civil Society

Over the past five years, 76 countries have proposed more than 275 legislative initiatives that impact civil society.

Of these initiatives, more than 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

Defending Civil Society Space in Southern Neighbourhood Countries

Defending Civil Society Space in Southern Neighbourhood Countries
This policy briefing by SOLIDAR, the Euromed NGO Platform and The Arab NGO Network for ... Read More

A String of Successes in Changing Global Counter-Terrorism Policies that Impact Civic Space

A String of Successes in Changing Global Counter-Terrorism Policies that Impact Civic Space
Activities of civil society organizations are increasingly restricted in the name of security and counter-terrorism. Some ... Read More

When Dictators Cry Conspiracy

When Dictators Cry Conspiracy
Slandering democratic protesters as foreign stooges is a favorite tactic of authoritarian regimes. In this ... Read More

How to Prevent Inappropriate Restrictions on NGO Activities in Europe?

How to Prevent Inappropriate Restrictions on NGO Activities in Europe?
In this report from January 2016, the Council of Europe’s Committee on Legal Affairs and ... Read More

A Global Assault on Nonprofits

A Global Assault on Nonprofits
This Journal of Democracy article, written by ICNL President Douglas Rutzen in November 2015, summarizes ... Read More

The Closing Space Challenge: How Are Funders Responding?

Report on The Regulation of Foreign Funding of Nonprofits in a Democracy
As restrictions on foreign funding for civil society continue to multiply around the world, Western ... 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.