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!

Highlighted

Tech and AI

How AI is powering transnational repression

Research

03-03-2026

This scoping study examines the growing use of digital technologies by governments to suppress dissent beyond their borders, with a particular focus on how AI is transforming transnational repression.

New monitoring reports: what shaped civic action in EU countries in 2025?

Monitoring Civic Spaces

European CSOs publish seven new country reports on civic space trends across the EU

News

16-02-2026

Based on a new methodology, the MACS reports reveal the trends that shaped civic action in 2025 and identify next steps needed to protect it.

Tech and AI

Five critical lessons from three years of DSA risk assessments

Research

03-03-2026

Our new policy brief analyses platform risk assessments, and sets out how they can be strengthened to become meaningful tools for transparency under the EU Digital Services Act.

woman holding a binocular looking into the distance, surrounded by geometric shapes and a dotted line

Action for Civic Space

The Future of Civil Societies

Research

06-06-2025

What are the trends and drivers that shape our world and the work of civil society? A foresight paper by James Logan written as part of ECNL’s strategy development process.

Tech and AI

A Guide to Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments (FRIA)

Research

12-12-2025

Developed by ECNL and DIHR, this new guide lays out a clear roadmap for putting FRIAs into practice meaningfully, as strategic tools for responsible AI use.

Tech and AI

How AI is powering transnational repression

Research

Tech and AI

Five critical lessons from three years of DSA risk assessments

Our new policy brief analyses platform risk assessments, and sets out how they can be strengthened to become meaningful tools for transparency under the EU Digital Services Act.

Research

Monitoring Civic Spaces

Fourth 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.

News

Security/CT

When national security becomes a shield for evading AI accountability

To protect fundamental rights, AI-enabled national security initiatives require urgent limits, says ECNL in Tech Policy Press blog.

News

Monitoring Civic Spaces

European CSOs publish seven new country reports on civic space trends across the EU

Based on a new methodology, the MACS reports reveal the trends that shaped civic action in 2025 and identify next steps needed to protect it.

News

Security/CT

Financial access of human rights defenders in exile

Read our policy paper with targeted recommedations to the EU, governments and banks to ensure defenders' financial inclusion in the EU.

Research

UN Standards

Stronger protection for freedom of association ahead: UN HRC General Comment No. 38

Read the joint submission from ECNL and ICNL on the aspects that we believe should be prioritised in the next UN HRC General Comment.

News

Tech and AI

A Guide to Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments (FRIA)

Developed by ECNL and DIHR, this new guide lays out a clear roadmap for putting FRIAs into practice meaningfully, as strategic tools for responsible AI use.

Research

Tech and AI

A framework for AI systems that truly serve the communities they affect: ECNL's Framework for Meaningful Engagement

Here is a quick overview of the key elements of the updated FME 2.0, a tool to distinguish deep, substantive engagement from superficial consultation.

News