Civic space and democracy are two sides of the same coin. One cannot survive without the other. An open, free and inclusive civic space is a prerequisite for democratic participation, and civic freedoms can only exist within a resilient democracy. As it is limited, as it shrinks, democracy is hollowed out from within, leaving a silent and empty shell. 

The following sections define what civic space and democracy mean for SOLIDAR and SOLIDAR+, expose the threats surrounding civic space and democracy, and outline how our network reclaims and defends this space, and conclude with our political demands.  

Two sides of the same coin

Civic space is the vital physical and/or digital environment where individuals, civil society organisations (CSOs), Trade Unions (TUs), media, activists and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) actively organise, participate, communicate and assert their influence on public and political life. This space must be fully free, secure, and empowered. Within this space, they robustly defend and advance fundamental and social rights, offer services and engagement, form collectives that hold governments, businesses, organisations and institutions accountable. Within it a sense of community and belonging is fostered, and transformative, progressive change can happen. This dynamic environment is essential for a vibrant democracy, enabling collective power to challenge injustice, inequalities and ensures that all voices including the most marginalised are heard, respected and taken into account. 

An open civic space encompasses legal, political, cultural, social and economic conditions. Creating and maintaining such an environment is primarily the responsibility of civil society itself, with states and institutions acting as enablers, safeguards, facilitators and as active interlocutors. 

Democracy cannot be a privilege of the few. It must guarantee the active and meaningful engagement of all empowered individuals in society and in the decision-making processes, and community activities from grassroot-level activism to institutionalised social dialogue, that affect their lives and the society they live in, irrespective of their citizenship status.   

For the SOLIDAR network, an open and plural civic space is both an enabling environment for progressive change and a political goal in itself. It has a deeper meaning, as it constitutes the very fabric of our democratic societies and our social contract, it is the first and last line of defence against democratic backsliding and authoritarianism. In its most ideal form, it promotes participation rooted in empathy, equality, intersectionality, and solidarity. Faced with a continuous shrinking of the civic space in Europe and the world, SOLIDAR forms part of the resistance, fighting to reverse this trend, to be able to restore and expand, an open and resilient civic space. 

With civic space being narrowed globally, democracy itself is under attack. Far right and right wing, populist parties and authoritarian governments are weaponizing laws, budgets, and public narratives to dismantle t civil society much of it done under the guise of “transparency”, “budget efficiency” and “protection of freedoms”. Attacks built on lies with the aim to weaken the very mechanism that makes democracy real: participation, accountability and solidarity.  

Today’s political climate, fuelled by the far-right narrative, feeds fear, and fear erodes solidarity leading up to polarisation. It divides people, silences dissent and isolates communities. It replaces our collective conscience with suspicion. The persecution of civil society organisations and the dismantling of civic space are the next steps for undermining the democratic foundations that hold our societies together. Far-right forces do it with disinformation, delegitimisation, defunding, restrictive laws, and open attacks on those defending rights and freedoms. At the European level and across member states, these processes of shrinking civic space threaten the core principles of freedom, equality, democracy, and justice. Principles that should define the European project and our relationship with the world. 

Reclaiming our civic space and democracy

SOLIDAR & SOLIDAR+’s members and their partners experience these pressures and attacks first-hand, from open attacks, spreading of lies, funding cuts, legal changes and challenges, to the marginalisation and denial of fundamental rights and freedoms.  

SOLIDAR’s strength lies in our alliances. We are a network forged in solidarity, linking together members, partners and allies. We build and support structures that promote our collective goals and that protect civic space in Europe and worldwide. We are social justice organisations, educators, advocates, trade unionists, internationalists, activists and organisers, who keep democracy alive through action, dialogue, and collective mobilisation.  

Our credibility stems from our members’ daily work in their workplaces and communities; offering spaces of community, solidarity, as they defend rights and stand up for what they believe, as they empower people, and when they are able to engage with and hold authorities to account. They embody the Europe we stand for: participatory, just, and united in diversity. Civil society is not an accessory to democracy; we are essential to its very existence.  

SOLIDAR, together with our members, partners and allies know that democracy cannot survive without participation and that participation cannot exist without civic space. That is why we fight together to make sure civic space is not only protected but expanded, so that every person, in every place, is able to play a role and have a say. 

Our key demands

Civil society needs defending now, but civil society organisations alone cannot fight back far right forces and authoritarian-leaning governments. SOLIDAR therefore calls on all the European Institutions and democratic political forces to make the defence of civic space and participatory democracy a defining political priority.  

1. Protect and support those who defend democracy: Adopt robust mechanisms under the European Democracy Shield to ensure an enabling environment for civil society to operate in and for people to mobilise and make their voice heard. Defend civil society organisations, HRDs and  activists by providing political, legal and financial support.  

2. Recognise and engage CSOs and trade unions as key partners in policymaking at all levels through civil dialogue and social dialogue respectively, not merely as contractors or service providers. Democratic and representative civil society offers a bridge to people’s lives and experiences, direct access to their voices and opinions. To value their role in shaping EU policy and ensure decision making mechanisms reflect the lived experiences, the needs and voices of communities is a short cut to more adequate and efficient political proposals and programmes. 

3. Strengthen the implementation of the EU Civil Society Strategy by addressing its current gaps and reinforcing measures that guarantee an enabling environment for civil society and promote structured and meaningful civil dialogue from local to European level as enshrined in Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union. It is vital that these measures include the establishment of a protection mechanism. This mechanism must, protects activists and CSOs from targeted attacks. And safeguard civic space against restrictions.  

4. Guarantee adequate and accessible funding for civil society. Align the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) with the lived realities of civil society while ensuring sufficiency. Provide transparent, proportionate, and flexible funding that allows civil society to do what it exists to do: defend rights, foster inclusion, and speak truth to power. Extend access to funding to civil society in candidate and neighbouring countries, supporting their role in democratic development and standards.   

5. Acknowledge the global dimension of civic space as the EU’s internal actions and standards have a direct impact externally. Protecting and empowering civil society within the EU legitimises its role as a key democratic actor and, in doing so, strengthens and supports civil society in EU partner and neighbouring countries. Offer similar venues for active participation of civil society and local actors in partner countries to make sure that the selection, design and implementation of projects receiving support from the EU development budget and EU external investments reflect their needs and protects their rights and their meaningful engagement in global frameworks like the Global Gateway.