12 November 2025 the European Commission adopted the EU Strategy for Civil Society in which the challenge of shrinking civic space is well highlighted. For example the Strategy:
- Acknowledges that civil society needs an enabling, safe and supportive environment and currently it includes adequate protection for CSOs and human rights defenders (HRDs) who experience an overall shrinking civic space, and who face threats and attacks in relation to their work.
- Points out that while important progress has been made at both EU and national level, stakeholders call for a more coordinated approach to CSO protection, and stronger more coordinated action is needed at Member State, EU and international level to monitor developments affecting CSOs, implement preventative measures in response to early-warning signs of shrinking civic space, and to protect CSOs against such threats and attacks.
- States that supporting the capacity and the resilience of CSOs, especially grassroots organisations, to meaningfully engage in policy-making processes is a priority in the Eastern Neighbourhood, particularly in the context of a shrinking civic space.
The strategy also stresses that sustainable and transparent financial support is essential for a thriving civil society and for ensuring that CSOs can operate independently.