PUBLISHED: DECEMBER 2021

Public participation is vital to solving the complex challenges facing our world today and is the backbone for sustainable development. Creating an enabling environment for civic engagement ensures meaningful participation in public affairs is possible. However, globally civic space has increasingly faced pressure and obstacles, from new government financing regulations to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In response, ICNL in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) created the Legal Frameworks for Civic Space: A Practical Toolkit to help promote civic engagement and ensure that public participation is protected globally. This toolkit provides an overview of the human rights standards that apply to civic space, including freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. It includes guidance and recommendations on ensuring these standards are being applied in national legislation frameworks. Additionally, it promotes government efforts to foster greater public participation in their governance and development efforts.

Download the full toolkit via UNDP here. Available in English, French, and Spanish.