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Event Time: Central European Time (CET)

Join the launch of the Solidarity Playbook, a collection of case studies and best practices curated by the Solidarity Action Network (SANE). The collection explores how international civil society organisations (ICSOs) and coalitions have developed resilience and solidarity mechanisms to deal with restrictions on civil society space and respond to changing operating conditions.

This event particularly addresses funders to share with them key findings and recommendations on how they can support and show solidarity to civil society actors and contribute to enabling environment for civil society.

During the event, authors of the Solidarity Playbook Deborah Doane and Sarah Pugh will share the common forms of solidarity that emerged in the case studies. They will talk about the value of coalitions and the role of ICSOs in supporting a more enabling environment for civil society through a spectrum of mechanisms ranging from quiet, ‘behind-closed-doors’ strategies to more public, outward facing tactics.

We will further showcase a case study from Helvetas, an independent organisation for development based in Switzerland. Helvetas has developed guidance for its country offices and local partners on how to advocate through the UN human rights system when national governments may be restricting civil society, thereby enabling sensitive issues to be addressed in a safe space without exposure, and strengthening capacities at the local level. We will hear from Bernd Steimann (Development Policy Coordinator, Helvetas) and Archita Faustmann (Human Rights Advisor, Helvetas) how this strategy has fed into their broader thinking on what future role an ICSO can play in and for civil society – a thread of thinking that cuts across the Solidarity Playbook collection.

Finally, we will discuss recommendations how funders, ICSOs and CSOs can practice solidarity and join forces to defend and construct an enabling environment for civil society.

The event is co-hosted by

The Solidarity Action Network (SANE) is hosted by

In partnership with