Access to resources for civil society organisations (CSOs) does not only impact the existence and operations of CSOs themselves, but it also affects societies as a whole. For example, CSOs play an indispensable role in providing humanitarian relief in conflict and disaster zones. To fulfil this role, it is critical that they have access to resources, which includes human, material and financial resources. In practice however, CSOs are increasingly facing challenges to do so, which often leads to them having to reduce their activities, relocate or shut down altogether. The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association addresses this challenge in his June 2022 Report "Access to Resources".
In this briefer, the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law and National Endowment for Democracy have summarised some key findings of the report. They also offer recommendations for states, donors, institutions, CSOs, citizens and companies to improve access to resources and to raise awareness on the importance of civil society.
View or download the briefer below: