Monitoring Civic Spaces

Civil society space is a complex web of legal and practical factors that enable CSOs to be independent and financially sustainable, have strong governance, raise their voice and mobilize public support for their important mission. Over the past decade, however, it has faced unprecedented restrictions both by law and in practice. In order improve the environment in which CSOs work and to pre-empt restrictions or harmful practices, there is a need for regular and consistent monitoring. This helps create evidence-based solutions.  

So what are these legal and practical factors that affect civic space? What are the underlying freedoms that safeguard an enabling environment? How can we assess if they are respected? Our monitoring work gives answers to all these questions.

The monitoring tools ECNL creates are based on international standards and good practices. They empower partners to understand trends that affect civic freedoms and digital rights, and use findings as evidence for local reforms and international advocacy.

• CSO Meter. The first ever tool developed for the Eastern Partnership region to assess civil society environment in these countries. From 2021 on, the CSO Meter introduces scoring for all the areas monitored.

ECNL strives to ensure that monitoring civic space is based on the following guiding principles: 

1. Operationalize international and EU legal standards. ECNL, together with its partners, maps out relevant international and European standards and practices to ensure that the monitoring is based on key fundamental freedoms standards.   
2. Tailored-made to the specific needs. The monitoring tools and processes are shaped according to the issues relevant for CSOs in the region, sensitive to the local context and particularities. 
3. Follow a consultative and collaborative approach. ECNL works closely with local partners when developing and implementing the monitoring tools and use various methods to consult civil society broadly. 
4. Proactive and forward looking. As a result of the monitoring, ECNL and its local partners formulate recommendations that can serve as a roadmap for future dialogue between the state authorities and civil society to improve CSO environment.