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We are experts on civil society law and policy. We co-develop locally-led responses with the goal to protect civic freedoms. We create knowledge, build networks and strengthen legal protections. ECNL is analytical, forward-looking and innovative.
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ECNL Learning Center
Learn more about critical aspects that affect civic space.
CSO Meter
Assess and advocate for an improved civil society environment in the Eastern Partnership countries.
Human rights impact assessments are the key to effective DSA enforcement
Research
New policy paper by ECNL and Access Now outlines key recommendations on how to make fundamental rights impact assessments meaningful under the EU's Digital Services Act.
Focus areas
We are deeply commited to empowering civil society through creating enabling legal and policy frameworks. Explore our focus areas!
Protests and Assemblies
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Participation
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Funding and Philanthropy
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UN Standards
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European policies
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Action for Civic Space
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Monitoring Civic Spaces
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Climate Action
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News & Research
What's the latest in the field of civil society law and policy? Read our news and learn more about our analytical and research work!
Latest
View allIncreasing CSOs’ financial sustainability - new project in Moldova
ECNL will identify key opportunities for reform and assist CSOs in advocating for an improved philanthropic environment.
News
Launching MACS: Monitoring action for civic space
ECNL together with 8 CSOs from across Europe launches new, EU-funded project to monitor civic space in member states.
News
Analysis of the Amendments to the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska on Defamation
The provisions pose problems for the freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly of anyone, including activists and human rights defenders, both online and offline.
Research
EU governments to vote on the final text of the EU AI Act: what’s at stake?
While the AI Act has major shortcomings from the human rights perspective, a total rejection would pose risks for future AI regulation.
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Open letter to COE AI Convention negotiators: Do not water down our rights
Civil society coalition calls for world's first AI treaty to equally cover the public and private sectors, and reject blanket exemptions regarding national security.
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Serbia: Restarting dialogue between government and CSOs for an enabling civil society environment
ECNL supports the establishment of the Council for Cooperation and Civil Society Development for improved participation in public policy processes.
News
Pact for the Future: Joint civil society input
ECNL along with signatory organisations calls for the Pact for the Future to center human rights and fundamental freedoms.
News
Slovakia: Civil society under threat
Slovak civil society is concerned that the new government's actions and rhetoric are shrinking space for their work. How can they respond?
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How to respond to a ‘foreign agent’ law: Experiences from Georgia
Find out what strategies CSOs in Georgia used to challenge a foreign agent law in ECNL's newest briefer.
Research
Impact stories
ECNL Portals
ECNL maintains several different websites, each with essential information but different civic space focus . Created with partners, these portals provide knowledge on the core civic freedoms of association, assembly and participation to support CSOs and civic groups open and defend their own spaces. Click here for for our learning center and a collection of websites to navigate the nonprofit laws around the world, assess civil society environment in the Eastern Partnership countries or track government responses to the pandemic that affect civic freedoms.
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Civic space portals
Explore our diverse websites!
E-tools
Through research and analysis we provide digital tools on various civic space issues. Explore our online resources for accessible information on assembly rights in the digital space, nonprofit banking, international standards that protect climate activists and more!
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Online resources on the ECNL website
Use these tools to analyse trends and advocate for better policies, laws and practices that affect civil society.
About us
ECNL is an independent and established European leader on law and policy that affect civil society. We create knowledge, empower partners and help set global and regional standards that create, protect and expand civic freedoms. We rely on our 20+ years of expertise to respond to trends with relevance, creativity and innovation. Get to know us!
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This is us over the years
Get to know the people working to address critical civic space needs!
Contact
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