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Introduction to the Playbook
The Solidarity Playbook is a collection of case studies and best practices, curated by the Solidarity Action Network (SANE), on how international civil society organisations (ICSOs) and coalitions have developed resilience and solidarity mechanisms to civic space restrictions and changing operating conditions for civil society.
Through gathering these case studies, our aim has been to identify the new ways in which civil society has approached the issue in a more strategic way as the issue has gained steam since it first became identified as a trend. This paper captures key lessons and learnings from 18 case studies, which were compiled between September 2019 and February 2021.
We have considered both individually-led organisational responses from ICSOs as well as those involving coalitions, either at the national or international level. In these coalitions ICSOs are often involved, either directly or indirectly. The case studies are spread across a diverse range of contexts, and from different parts of the world, from those where the closing of space is characterised by more obvious, violent repression, to settings where the restrictions and measures are more subtle and technical in nature. Across all contexts, solidarity emerges as a common theme and need from across the civil society spectrum, manifesting in different ways.
It’s important to note that the issues around civic space are evolving, especially as the current COVID-19 pandemic has changed the nature in which many civil society groups have been able to function. The lessons emerging from the Solidarity Playbook will be vital tools in the armament of ICSOs, CSOs, coalitions and funders alike, who want to ensure that civil society can continue to support communities around the world both throughout the pandemic responses and well beyond.