SO 1: Generate timely knowledge and analyses

Throughout our knowledge production, we will prioritise diverse perspectives and accessible formats. We recognise that knowledge itself is a form of power that must be democratised to serve civil society effectively. Our strategies will include sharing key findings on audiovisual formats, summarising analysis in op eds and disseminating visuals on social media.

Timely analysis

• CIVICUS Lens: This rolling initiative provides analyses and commentary in response to events around the globe that impact civil society. It produces hundreds of civil society interviews that document firsthand experiences and collect insights from those at the forefront of struggles. Drawing from the articles and interviews it publishes throughout the year, the CIVICUS Lens team produces the State of Civil Society Report.
• CIVICUS Monitor: This collaborative research initiative collects data on the state of civic freedoms and assigns ratings ranging from ‘open’ to ‘closed’ to each of 198 countries and territories, based on a rigorous methodology. Based on its regular updates, three times a year it produces a Watchlist highlighting rapid declines. It also produces country briefs and the annual People Power Under Attack report. As part of the European Union Supporting and Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) consortium, it will support partners across 20 countries to generate knowledge on the enabling environment for civil society, including early warning alerts, enabling environment snapshots and country focus reports.
• Research on artivism: This research project explores artivism, defined as the fusion of artistic expression and activism to challenge social injustice and inspire political change. It analyses how artivism transforms public consciousness and policy outcomes, particularly in contexts where traditional advocacy approaches face significant barriers.
• Research on technology and democracy: As part of the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI), we will produce three thematic reports on the ethics and risks of AI, the rise of deepfake disinformation and its impact on electoral integrity, and the rise of a ‘digital oligarchy’ of tech billionaires reshaping democracy and civic space. The CIVICUS Monitor will also produce more detailed information on digital civic space restrictions, which will feed into the next People Power Under Attack report.
• Youth research: This research stream examines how younger generations are experiencing and responding to civic space restrictions. It documents their tactics and perspectives while providing insights for building intergenerational solidarity among civil society activists and organisations.
• Global governance research: Developed in the context of the Horizon Europe-funded ENSURED project, we are assessing the robustness, effectiveness and democratic character of global human rights institutions and exploring civil society proposals for reform. Findings will be presented in reports, policy briefs, op eds, academic articles and webinars.

Annual publications

• State of Civil Society Report: A report analysing contemporary events from a civil society perspective and identifying trends in civil society action in various arenas.
• People Power Under Attack: A report analysing global civic space conditions with emphasis on key regional and thematic trends drawing on CIVICUS Monitor data, including a review of civic space ratings.

How we will measure progress 

Learning question:

How are our knowledge products contributing to public discussions on civic space and civil society action?

Indicators:  

• Number of CIVICUS Monitor citations – Target: 250
• Number of CIVICUS Lens articles published and disseminated on social media – Target: 100
• Number of CIVICUS Lens interviews published and disseminated on social media – Target: 300
• Number of op eds and articles showcasing research on external media – Target: 70
• Number of accesses/downloads of our reports via website – Target: 80,000