News & research

We share updates, stories, resources and analyses to protect spaces for action and inspire change. Read our latest news!

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Year

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

Participatory Democracies

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

Digital Spaces

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

Participatory Democracies

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

Participatory Democracies

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

Participatory Democracies

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

Digital Spaces

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

Digital Spaces

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

Participatory Democracies

Amsterdam's journey in participatory AI development

Case study on how the municipality, technical team and citizens worked together to develop responsible AI that genuinely serves public interest, piloting ECNL's Framework for Meaningful Engagement while doing so.

News