Short summary:
Civil space is shrinking, and civil society organisations are increasingly under attack in Germany and across much of Europe. To confront these challenges, organisations must strengthen their resilience by securing stable, long-term funding and by developing new forms of engagement and partnership that will safeguard the future role of civil society.
Full description:
We are in the midst of profound changes at international, European and national levels that increasingly restrict civic space and question both the role and the legitimacy of civil society organisations. High levels of civic engagement are under threat from demographic, social and economic shifts, while new forms of engagement are emerging but have yet to become mainstream. Traditional organisations and their leadership models are struggling, facing new legal regulations, tax uncertainties and direct attacks from the (far) right.
In this situation, organisations cannot afford to hide or retreat into a niche. They must urgently strengthen their resilience — through stable, diverse and innovative fundraising — and open themselves to new forms of activity and engagement. Just as crucially, they need to build strong partnerships and networks at national and international level, enabling joint campaigns and lobbying efforts to secure a sustainable legal and financial framework for a strong, independent civil society.
Main takeaway/Key learning point:
