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We are experts on civil society law and policy. We co-develop locally-led responses with the goal to protect civic freedoms. We create knowledge, build networks and strengthen legal protections. ECNL is analytical, forward-looking and innovative.
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ECNL Learning Center
Learn more about critical aspects that affect civic space.
CSO Meter
Assess and advocate for an improved civil society environment in the Eastern Partnership countries.
Strategic guide for CSOs on the move
Explore scenarios, strategic advice and resources for CSOs that face growing restrictions in their home countries and consider hybrid modes of operations.
Focus areas
We are deeply commited to empowering civil society through creating enabling legal and policy frameworks. Explore our focus areas!
Protests and Assemblies
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Participation
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Funding and Philanthropy
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UN Standards
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European policies
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Action for Civic Space
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Monitoring Civic Spaces
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Climate Action
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News & Research
What's the latest in the field of civil society law and policy? Read our news and learn more about our analytical and research work!
Latest
View allWSIS+20 follow-up: Eight practical recommendations
With the WSIS+20 review approaching, civil society organisations and individuals submit further recommendations for the process.
News
Europe’s Real Security Challenge: Reclaiming Democracy
In this blog Vanja Skoric and Florian Irminger argue that defending civic space, public participation and human rights must become a core pillar of EU security policy.
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First Civic Space Watch alerts under MACS
Here are the latest developments in European civic space emerging from the Early Warning and Alert System, developed as part of the MACS (Monitoring Action for Civic Space) project.
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Alert: The Hungarian draft Law on Transparency of Public Life
Under the guise of national sovereignty: can this law withstand scrutiny by EU, global human rights and anti-money laundering bodies? Spoiler: Absolutely not.
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Uniting for democracy: How we can work together to address challenges to people's rights and civil society
A roadmap for civil society, funders and allies as we reimagine how to strengthen democracy and collective action.
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Access to financial services for activists on the move: insights and recommendations
New report reveals the complexities activists on the move face when accessing financial services.
Research
Hungary’s new biometric surveillance laws violate the AI Act
This legal analysis lays out how Hungary's new legislation on facial recognition technology violates the EU Artificial Intelligence Act.
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Algorithmic Gatekeepers: Impacts of LLM Content Moderation on Civic Space and Human Rights
As large language models increasingly influence online discourse, a new ECNL report explores how these powerful tools can be used more responsibly to reduce harms for civil society and marginalised groups.
Research
The EU needs AI liability rules
ECNL with Article 19, CDT, Mozilla, BEUC and Enforce sign joint letter urging the EU to address legal gaps left by the AILD withdrawal, and ensure clear and simple rules for people to seek compensation when harmed by an AI system.
News
Impact stories
ECNL Portals
ECNL maintains several different websites, each with essential information but different civic space focus . Created with partners, these portals provide knowledge on the core civic freedoms of association, assembly and participation to support CSOs and civic groups open and defend their own spaces. Click here for for our learning center and a collection of websites to navigate the nonprofit laws around the world, assess civil society environment in the Eastern Partnership countries or track government responses to the pandemic that affect civic freedoms.
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Civic space portals
Explore our diverse websites!
E-tools
Through research and analysis we provide digital tools on various civic space issues. Explore our online resources for accessible information on assembly rights in the digital space, nonprofit banking, international standards that protect climate activists and more!
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Online resources on the ECNL website
Use these tools to analyse trends and advocate for better policies, laws and practices that affect civil society.
About us
ECNL is an independent and established European leader on law and policy that affect civil society. We create knowledge, empower partners and help set global and regional standards that create, protect and expand civic freedoms. We rely on our 20+ years of expertise to respond to trends with relevance, creativity and innovation. Get to know us!
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This is us over the years
Get to know the people working to address critical civic space needs!
Contact
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