2026 STATE OF CIVIL SOCIETY REPORT

Welcome to the 2026 State of Civil Society Report from CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance. This year’s report, the 15th in our annual series, looks back at 2025 and early 2026 to identify trends in civil society action at every level and in every arena, from responses to conflicts and struggles for democracy, inclusion and climate justice to demands for stronger global governance.

The report 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 and challenges of the day. It reflects over 250 interviews and 100 articles published by CIVICUS covering around 100 countries and territories. For easy reference, you’ll find links to articles identified with the  icon and to interviews with the  icon.

Our report documents a world where unaccountable power is on the offensive: powerful states are dismantling the international rules-based order, impunity is becoming normalised in conflicts from Gaza to Sudan and an axis of tech oligarchs and authoritarian leaders is using its online reach to spread disinformation and tighten surveillance. The withdrawal of funding from multilateral institutions, the weaponisation of AI and the deliberate obstruction of climate action aren’t isolated crises but interconnected aspects of a political epoch in which elites are consolidating power at the expense of human rights. Those being hardest hit are the people who already have the least access to rights.

Yet resistance is rising to meet this assault, and this report documents its breadth and power. People across the world are choosing courage over compliance. A new generation is rising to take action. Civil society advocacy, evidence collection and litigation are countering regression and securing victories, demonstrating the value of sustained collective action. In a time of manufactured hopelessness, this report makes the case for resistance.