2025 STATE OF CIVIL SOCIETY REPORT

Welcome to the 2025 State of Civil Society Report from CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance. This year’s report, the 14th in our annual series, looks back at the events of 2024 and early 2025 to identify trends in civil society action at every level and in every arena, from responses to conflicts to demands for global governance reform and struggles for democracy, inclusion and climate justice.

This year’s report comes in a new shorter and more accessible format. It draws from our rolling analysis and commentary initiative, CIVICUS Lens, and is directly informed by the voices of civil society affected by and responding to the major issues of the day. It reflects over 300 interviews and 80 articles published by CIVICUS covering more than 120 countries and territories. You’ll find links to articles with the   icon and to interviews with the   icon.

Our report offers a civil society perspective of the world as it stands in early 2025: one plagued by crises, including of human rights and democratic values, and one where an embattled civil society faces a growing crisis of resourcing. But despite increasing restrictions on civic space, civil society continues to work hard to hold the line. In volatile times, civil society still manages to achieve important victories through strategic advocacy, mobilisation, litigation and international solidarity.

In a realigning global landscape marked by the rise of right-wing populism, autocracy, sickening violence, climate inaction and economic inequality, this report documents both the challenges and the inspiring responses of civil society activists and organisations worldwide. Through their persistent efforts and against the odds, they continue to carry the torch for the vision of a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable world. This report is dedicated to everyone striving to keep this vision alive.