Our ambition is to help civil society not only survive but thrive in these challenging times. We strengthen resilience, build solidarity, and develop strategies to navigate shrinking and increasingly complex civil society’s operating space. This means connecting diverse actors to share knowledge, take joint action,  and (re)build trust with decision-makers.  

The Challenge

Around the world, international and local civil society organisations are facing unprecedented pressure. Restrictive laws, targeted attacks, shrinking funding, and digital repression are making it harder to operate, especially for those defending the rights of marginalised groups. Anti-rights actors are gaining influence, spreading disinformation, and undermining democratic values. Meanwhile, the digital sphere offers both opportunities for activism and powerful tools for surveillance and manipulation. Without stronger resilience, solidarity, and collaboration, the ability of civil society organisations to drive positive change is at risk. 

Our Approach

Through our Solidarity Action Network (SANE), we bring together civil society organisations to foster exchange and collaboration and strengthen their ability to operate in changing conditions. Through the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) Partnership, we use citizen-generated data to ensure marginalised communities are heard in policy-making. We also address the growing role of digital technology in shaping the enabling environment by helping civil society organisations harness it ethically while mitigating risks.

Capacity Building

Our Digital Dialogue series explores emerging technologies to ensure digital tools serve, not silence, civil society.

We provide practical resources including citizen data frameworks, good practice case studies, and targeted toolkits, helping civil society organisations respond to threats, adapt to change, and engage strategically with the shifting political and digital environment.

Our Unique Value

Together, these efforts support civil society organisations to respond to threats, adapt to political and social change, and help define the future environment. We create safe spaces for exchange among peers facing similar challenges and provide practical resources – from citizen data frameworks and good practice case studies to targeted toolkits. This approach ensures that civil society is not only better equipped to defend its operating space but also positioned to actively influence the policies, narratives, and digital ecosystems that will shape its future. 

Solidarity Action Network

SANE aims to strengthen resilience of and solidarity among civil society actors when faced with civic space restrictions or changing operating conditions. SANE connects international and national civil society organisations across all sub-sectors and brings them into discussions on civic space challenges and opportunities.

Solidarity Action Network
Global Perspectives banner with world silhouette people and two hands holding the globe

Leave No One Behind Partnership

The Leave No One Behind Partnership brings together international and national civil society organisations (CSOs), civic networks and platforms. Our joint ambition is to bring about a scalable solution for filling data gaps on marginalised groups in the monitoring and review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Leave No One Behind
Leave No One Behind collage visual

International Civic Forum

The International Civic Forum (ICF) is our flagship civic space event. Convened annually, it provides a trusted platform for civil society leaders to address pressing civic space challenges, strengthen connections, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

International Civic Forum
Collage with a puzzle, cogs, two hands holding a light bulb and a pencil

Digital Dialogue

The Digital Dialogue series has become a key platform for civil society organisations (CSOs) worldwide to discuss topics related to digital technology and its impact on civil society. The panel series promotes understanding and awareness of the complex intersections between digital technology and the work of CSOs, while exploring the specific challenges and solutions for civil society organisations.

Digital Dialogues series
decorative collage

Other strategic ambitions

  • An illustration of people in silhouette

    Empowering communities

    We are committed to ensuring that local actors and communities have the tools and resources to make their voices heard and count.

    Explore
  • A collage of people and patterns

    Futures

    Our futures work supports (international) civil society organisations to become more agile and respond to emerging realities in our world. We strengthen capacity in strategic foresight and support proactive approaches for the sector to adapt to crucial issues such as powershift.

    Explore