How can Europe address shrinking civic space?

When civic space shrinks, democracy sounds the alarm. It’s more than a warning - it’s a call to rethink how support is designed, delivered, made inclusive and adapted to shifting realities. Recognising the urgency, Team Europe Democracy (TED) invited ECDPM to take a closer look: what’s really behind the pressure on civic actors, their space and how can the EU and Member States (MS) respond more effectively?

The result is the 2024 report, “Exploring EU and Member States' approaches and options to addressing the shrinking civic space | Capacity4dev.” Drawing from six country cases across Latin America, Asia and Africa, the report unpacks the drivers behind shrinking civic space and examines current responses as well as opportunities for the EU and MS. It also puts forward practical ways to make support more flexible and context-aware - including through engagement with the so-called “unusual suspects.”

In the video, Amandine Sabourin and Sara Gianesello, the authors of the report, share what they’ve learned and why it matters for democracy support in today’s shifting global landscape. 

Their research reinforces a key message: protecting civic space, maintaining partnerships with civil society, means keeping democracy on the agenda. A healthy civic space is vital as it fights corruption, ensures transparency and accountability, and empowers individuals, communities and civic society. By providing evidence-based research and facilitating dialogue, the authors aim to inform action that strengthens democratic values and practices on the ground.

Grounded in over 30 interviews with civil society organisations, activists, MS in-country representations/embassies and development agencies, the research through a political economy lens examines how political, economic and social dynamics intersect to close - or open - civic space. 

Focusing on what the EU and MS can do, the research emphasised the need to understand local contexts - as shrinking civic space manifests differently across countries and thus requires tailored responses. It also highlighted the value of engaging diverse actors - including youth influencers and artists - to defend civic space and connect with new audiences. 

One key takeaway: was the importance of reframing the narrative around civic space, to make it resonate more effectively in diverse settings.  

Looking ahead, the report’s recommendations - designed to flow from the global level of the TED Network to EU Delegations and MS representations on the ground - highlight the need to invest more time and resources in identifying the (civic) actors to support in efforts to reopen civic space.