Across the world,civil society faces increasing pressure—from restrictive laws on civil society operations to digital surveillance,funding restrictions,and direct attacks on human rights defenders. In response,a global civil society coalition was launched. The European Union System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) spans 86 countries,equipping civil society actors,govements and other stakeholders with the data,tools,and resources needed to anticipate and respond in real time to shifts in the enabling environment—ensuring that civil society can thrive,freely express itself,and actively shape its context.
At the heart of this initiative is the EU SEE Digital Hub,an interactive early waing and monitoring system that documents real-time shifts – deteriorations or improvements – in the enabling environment for civil society across 86 countries. It will provide data and analysis on key legislative changes affecting civil society,new threats,attacks,or restrictions on civic actors,trends and opportunities for civil society strengthening. The consortium has started collecting and analysing data for the first group of countries. In the coming months and year the data will be further expanded and supplemented.
The latest reports from civil society organisations paint a sobering picture of deteriorating operational environment and growing restrictions. In Paraguay,new legislation imposes excessive bureaucratic hurdles on CSOs,while 78% of citizens feel unrepresented in parliament and 84% believe elections are fraudulent. In Uganda,ahead of the 2026 elections,joualists and activists face increasing state repression,with the govement using digital surveillance laws to stifle dissent. In Pakistan,authorities have blocked access to independent media,used the military court system to sentence 60 civilians,and restricted funding for NGOs deemed critical of the govement. In Indonesia,anti-NGO rhetoric is rising,restrictive funding laws limit CSO resources,and police continue to suppress public protests. In Botswana,despite constitutional guarantees of free expression,civil society actors advocating for democratic reforms face harassment,and restrictive assembly laws limit peaceful protests.
This is a moment of reckoning for civil society. We cannot afford to wait for the grip to be tightened on civic freedoms and civil society’s environment. As we face multiple challenges and common struggles,no single organisation or sector can confront these issues alone. Now is the time to build a diverse global coalition of defenders for civil society that haesses data,innovation,and collaboration to protect and sustain an enabling environment for civil society worldwide.
As Intan Bedisa of the Inteational NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (Infid) explains,“In many countries,the escalating issue of shrinking space for civil society organisations has arisen. EU SEE will be assisting civil society in both preventing and proactively addressing legal and policy changes that might affect civil society operations. This effort will include a series of actions,such as national-level monitoring,which will generate early waings to provide timely support to those in need.”
Yet generating data alone is not enough—collective influence,and support from policymakers,donors,and the public are also needed to tu these insights into meaningful change. Creating an enabling environment for civil society involves shifting laws,social attitudes,and resources that not only protect fundamental freedoms but actively facilitate civil society’s ability to operate effectively and sustainably. Within such an environment,civil society can engage in political and public life without fear of reprisals,openly express its views,and actively participate in shaping its context.
Country-specific insights on these dimensions can drive evidence-based advocacy,shape policy discussions,support civil society organisations refine their strategies,access flexible financial support mechanisms,and build solidarity networks at national,regional,and global levels.
“A vibrant and free civil society provides the very foundation from which we can address the world’s most pressing challenges,” says Mandeep Tiwana,interim co-Secretary General at CIVICUS. “Civil society is the heartbeat of democracy,the voice of the marginalised,and the catalyst for social justice. We must defend it with unwavering resolve.”
Policymakers,too,must rise to the challenge. The data and trends highlighted by monitoring systems like EU SEE serve as a springboard for govements to enact policies that protect and nurture civil society. This means committing to inteational frameworks that uphold freedom of expression,halting inteet shutdowns,fight disinformation campaigns,surveillance abuses,and ultimately build accountability and support action. Inteational institutions and donors must align their funding and diplomatic efforts with the pressing needs identified by civil society monitoring initiatives. Funders must prioritise flexible,long-term support for civil society,ensuring organisations have the resources to resist crackdowns. At the same time data and follow-up actions can be used by the media to uncover pattes of repression,highlight emerging threats and opportunities,and keep the microphone on at national and global levels – bringing these issues to the forefront of public discourse.
For those believing in the power of civil society,the choice before us is clear. By leveraging data and closely examining global trends,let’s act together to push back against repression and build a world where civil society not only survives but thrives.
The EU System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) is a consortium of inteational organisations and Network Members in 86 countries. The civil society organisations that form this global partnership have a wealth of experience monitoring,protecting and strengthening the conditions that enable civil society to thrive. The initiative is implemented by: CIVICUS,Democracy Reporting Inteational,European Partnership for Democracy,Forus,Hivos and Transparency Inteational.
“