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Description
The project aims at addressing the trends of democratic backsliding and shrinking civil space observed for the past years particularly in Central and South-eastern Europe.
We came together because we believe in our work and in the power of civil society to build healthier societies from the bottom up. Our organisations are from different countries with different backgrounds, but the challenges we face and the changes we strive for in this region bind us together. This project is our common effort to improve the quality of our democracies through strengthening civil society actors in Central and South-eastern Europe.
The project is implemented by 10 organisations from 8 countries between 2020-2023: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Norway as expert partner.
Our main objectives are
- broadening the grassroots basis and constituency of civil society;
- mapping, training and mobilising activist groups and movements;
- linking this local level to the regional and the European;
- developing together the outlines of a comprehensive European civil society policy.
Activities will be carried out along 3 levels:
- National: organising trainings and workshops, mentoring support particularly to organisations/groups in rural regions, while taking into account the specificities of individual countries;
- Regional: holding cross-border workshops and networking meetings with at least 3 countries represented at each;
- European: international conferences in Budapest, Brussels and Prague, developing expert and policy papers.
Our vision is a thriving civil space in a democratic and enabling environment, where people take action, get organised and advocate for their interests together freely, without fear or restrictions. We believe in a society where everybody is capable of improving their own life and environment and is provided with the opportunity to live up to their potential.
Summary of project results
Reclaim Our Civil Space! united 9 foundations and assoications from 7 Central European countries, all of them with a mission of and experience in supporting civil society organisations for stronger, transparent and sustainable democracy. Civil society organisations across the region work in increasingly adverse environments known as "shrinking civil space": they suffer from smear campaigns, intimidation and harassment and even legislative restrictions.
In order to help counter this trend and improve the resilience of the organisations, project partners set 3 objectives, working on 3 levels:
- broadening the grassroots basis and constituency of civil society, mapping, training and mobilizing activist groups and movements
- linking this local level to the regional and the European, generating cross-border links and cooperation
- developing together and advocating for the outlines of a European civil society policy.
On the national level, each partner implemented longer-term (at least year-long) capacity building processes composed of trainings, workshops, consultations, etc. involving a varying number (15-40) of local civil society organisations. They focused on rural, smaller groups, which otherwise have no or little access to such programs. In order to broaden their horizons and learn about the similarities and differences of other countries, a series of 6+3 (in-person and online) regional workshops were organised on various themes, relevant to the organisations involved. Consortium partners developed a draft for a comprehensive EU civil society strategy which could provide organisations with a "safety net" on the European level. Working with European networks, they actively advocated for its adoption among others via 4 international events.
Local civil society organisations were equipped with skills and knowledge (e.g. organisational management, communication, fundraising), which made the organisations stronger, more sustainable and better able to participate in public matters.
The capacity building processes also contributed to developing links and networking among participants nationally. Several new contacts and joint initiatives were made across borders as a result of regional, cross-border cooperation between CSOs.
The EU civil society strategy started an important legislative progress. The demand was echoed in several reports of the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee, as well as became the central theme of the joint civil society campaign towards the European electons in 2024.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian Helsinki Committee contributed to the project with its expertise and the special Nordic point of view. Several partners had previous cooperation with NHC, which mainly provided Norwegian civil society experts (both in and outside of the organisations) to review the training (and other) materials developed and as speakers at the various (international) project events. Their open and flexible approach was particularly helpful. The main lesson learned from the expert partner was the stark contrast in the state and situation of civil society between Norway and Central Europe - this insight not only provided a good practice and model, but also hope that improvements and positive change can be achieved at home. For many participants of the project''s workshops and conferences this was a new, revealing experience. While no concrete plans have been made, collaboration between NHC and several project partners (including Ökotárs) will remain active after beyond the project, too.