What is civic space?
Civic space is the physical or digital environment that allows people to come together, express their opinions, and take action on issues that matter to them. It includes freedoms like speaking out, protesting, joining or creating groups and organisations, and accessing information.
When civic space is open, people can hold governments and powerful institutions to account, demand the respect of fundamental rights, and work for positive change in society. When it is restricted, people face censorship, threats, or even violence for speaking up.
Open, healthy civic space is essential for democracy, justice, and a fair society where everyone’s voice counts.
Civic Space Watch
Civic Space Watch is an online platform that gathers data and reports on developments in civic space at the national and EU level and analyses national and European trends in civic space. Powered by the European Civic Forum, it collects findings through regular contact and interviews with a strong network of members and partners on the ground, as well as ongoing media and social media monitoring.
Civic Space Report
Every year, we publish our Civic Space Report, which assesses the state of Civic Space across the EU, including country and thematic reports written in collaboration with partners on the ground. The report is developed as part of our submission to the Commission’s annual Rule of Law reporting cycle.
Civic Space Report 2024
In our Civic Space Report 2024, we assess the space for civil society in Europe in 2023. The report finds that civic freedoms have continued to deteriorate. After taking office in 2019, the European Commission leadership committed to a “new push for European Democracy”. However, while the Commission has introduced a range of important measures to boost democracy, the report finds that space for civil society has continued to shrink, indicating that the EU must do more, better and differently to support and protect civil society.
