How can Europe address shrinking civic space?
Civic space is shrinking, signaling worldwide democratic recession. In 2024, ECDPM undertook significant research for Team Europe Democracy (TED), a global initiative by the EU and its member states to promote and defend democracy, on shrinking civic space in six different countries.
As part of a new video series featuring ECDPM experts on our 2024 highlights, Amandine Sabourin and Sara Gianesello discuss our work on civic space in Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Our work underscores the fundamental importance of maintaining relationships with civic space and civil society to keep democracy and democracy-related issues on the agenda. A healthy civic space is vital as it fights corruption, ensures transparency and accountability, and empowers individuals and civic society more broadly. By providing evidence-based research and facilitating dialogue, we aim to contribute to tangible impact in strengthening democratic values and practices on the ground.
Our research focused on six countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, examining the specific challenges and opportunities for protecting civic space in different contexts.
Through over 30 interviews with civil society organisations, activists, embassies and development agencies, we gained valuable insights into the dynamics of civic space. Using a political economy approach, we analysed the interplay of political, economic and social factors that contribute to the shrinking of civic space.
Focusing on what the EU and its member states can do, our research emphasised the need to understand local contexts, as shrinking civic space manifests differently across countries and requires tailored responses. It also highlighted the value of engaging diverse actors – including youth influencers and artists – to promote civic space and reach new audiences. One particularly impactful finding was the importance of reframing the narrative around civic space to resonate more effectively within different contexts.
Our recommendations, formulated to ensure that they trickle down from the global level of the Team Europe Democracy network to EU delegations and member state embassies, emphasise the need to dedicate more resources and time to understanding who to support in reopening civic space.
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