Civic Space Research Articles

European Union’s Good Governance Efforts in East Africa

This study investigates the European Union's (EU) efforts in promoting good governance in East Africa, with a focus on institutional reforms, support for the rule of law and anti-corruption initiatives, and local governance strengthening programs. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing document analysis and case studies from East African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, and Rwanda. Data were gathered from EU reports, governmental publications, and scholarly articles to assess the impact of EU interventions on governance structures. The findings reveal that the EU's initiatives have led to significant improvements in local governance capacities, transparency, and public service delivery. However, challenges such as political instability, corruption, and limited civic space persist, undermining the effectiveness of these programs. The study concludes that while the EU has made meaningful contributions to good governance in East Africa, continuous engagement and adaptive strategies are essential to address ongoing challenges. Strengthening civil society and promoting inclusive governance processes are crucial for sustaining these efforts. This research enhances understanding of the EU's role in East African governance and provides insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to improve governance frameworks in the region.

Counter-terrorism measures and civil society organisations: A review of literature and agenda for future research

ABSTRACT After more than 20 years of research, it is well established that states used counter-terrorism measures (CTMs) to close civic spaces for civil society under the pretext of curbing terrorism. However, the specific mechanisms by which these occur, or the responses of civil society organizations (CSOs), remain hard to grasp. Furthermore, scholars are yet to fully understand the motivations for states’ repression of CSOs, including whether it is possible that states overreacted to terrorism threats and responded sincerely but disproportionately or that they have another agenda. Do some countries that do not face genuine threats cynically follow others? How do we measure the unintended consequences for CSOs, including those engaged in non-politically sensitive issues? Furthermore, while CSOs have either resisted, remained silent, or complied with CTMs by moving away from political activism, how does state implementation of CTMs lead CSOs to change their structures, spaces, and actors as adaption strategies, and what are the long-term consequences for democracy, rights and accountability? What drives some CSOs to adopt one set of responses while others choose a different approach? The present article presents the first systematic literature review of 83 relevant sources. In doing so, key themes on the tactics of states and the responses of CSOs are examined. From this, we conclude and make suggestions for future research.

Navigating Civic Agency and Civic Space Amid Authoritarian Realities in Myanmar: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Concept of Divine Mandate as Public Theology

In recent years, civic space has been deteriorating in many countries in Southeast Asia, and there is an urgent need for a more proactive and mindful civic agency to foster a humane society. Drawing inspiration from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s concept of divine mandate, this paper proposes a public theology within an authoritarian regime, namely Myanmar. It explores divine mandates as essential for protecting civic space, advocates for Christian discipleship as a means of civic agency, and sparks moments of possibility by recognizing the hidden God in times of suffering. This paper highlights that an ethic of responsibility towards others lies at the core of divine mandate. It encompasses being an agent of direction, memory, linguistic self-consciousness and transformation.

Y’all Means All: A Case-Study in Welcoming Trauma Survivors to the Art Museum

ABSTRACT The authors, a museum educator and a psychiatrist, present a case study of their collaborative work to develop museum experiences for trauma survivors participating in an outpatient treatment program that uses Cognitive Processing Therapy. The thesis behind the program, now in its eighth year, was that an art museum experience could be designed to reinforce skills learned in CPT and to show participants that they could feel safe enough to take pleasure in a civic space.

Youth-Inspired Protests amid Shrinking Civic Space: Insights from #OromoProtests in Ethiopia

Youth-Inspired Protests amid Shrinking Civic Space: Insights from #OromoProtests in Ethiopia

A repurposed space: City God Temple as National Products Exhibition Hall in Guangzhou, 1928 to 1937

ABSTRACT Guangzhou’s City God Temple, originally built in 1370, remained one of Guangzhou’s most-enduring examples of architectural heritage well into the twentieth century, especially between 1928 and 1937. Long considered a landmark – both spatially and aesthetically – by local and international visitors, the temple’s social roles within the city and its adaptation to changes initiated by Guangzhou government, particularly from a religious space into a National Products Market from 1928 to 1937, have not been well studied by scholars. This research examines the temple’s history during that specific period – a decade of political and social change inspired by anti-religious and anti-superstitious state campaigns that had a consequential effect on the temple’s broader significance as a civic space. A closer look at proposed changes initiated by the Committee of Ritual Reformation and the National Products Movement reveals the temple’s contributions to state campaigns to promote Nationalist thoughts and the city’s physical expansion. The research methods included site investigation and examination of historical archives, including old maps, newspapers, journals, government gazettes, and archival records. By studying the reformation process of this particular temple, this article contributes to expanding our understanding of blurring social orders of republican Guangzhou that were taking place amid growing nationalism.

Entering civic space: youth experiences in sexual and reproductive health and rights advocacy in Ethiopia, Mali and Mozambique

ABSTRACT Young people are increasingly involved in advocacy on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), but research documenting their experiences remains limited. This article explores how young people advocate for SRHR in Ethiopia, Mali and Mozambique, what motivates them, what barriers they face, and how they overcome them. Building on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the findings show that across the three countries, youth are motivated to advocate for SRHR because it resonates with their direct realities, but experience challenges throughout. This is linked to a need for accessible and flexible funding for youth initiatives, trust from established organisations acting as allies, and freedom to establish advocacy agendas. Young people furthermore recommended more diverse youth perspectives should be represented in initiatives. Insights from this study are relevant to youth-led organisations, non-governmental organisations and governments interested in equal partnerships with young people in decision-making, and funders supporting international development aid.

The civic importance of John Dewey’s Art as Experience (1934)

In the Harvard lectures that became Art as Experience (1934) Dewey developed a democratic account of art that not only expanded the range of creative experience (watching a huge digger, the architectonics of a mutually satisfactory conversation, are included in the reach of art) but developed an account of art that was vitally reciprocal, participatory and social. Maker and perceiver are equally interactive creators as they mutually develop new modes of feeling and thinking. For Dewey this relationship necessarily re-makes the experience of community and, just as important, creates a civic space for interrogation and critique. (This article is published in the thematic collection ‘The arts and humanities: rethinking value for today—views from Fellows of the British Academy’, edited by Isobel Armstrong.)

Civic Space for Advocacy Non-Governmental Organizations in Developing Countries

Civic Space for Advocacy Non-Governmental Organizations in Developing Countries

Guardian of society: Civil society in Nigeria's response to COVID-19 pandemic.

The rapid breakout and dissemination of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection from the city of Wuhan, China, to the rest of the countries of the world in December 2019 triggered a situation that led the World Health Organization to report it as a global public health emergency. The pandemic resulted in abrupt and significant loss of lives, disruption of economies, loss of livelihoods, and severe hardship across the nations of the world. Nigeria encountered the COVID-19 reality following the discovery of the first case of the infection in the country on February 27, 2020, prompting the government to swing into action to contain its spread. However, the government's response to the pandemic benefited from the support of nonstate actors from the profit and nonprofit sectors. This study, thus, specifically examined the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria's response to the coronavirus crisis. Using data obtained through secondary sources and analysis of thematic and descriptive-interpretive methods, the study found that CSOs impressively contributed to the government's fight against COVID-19, particularly in view of their roles in creating awareness about the virus and rebutting disinformation regarding the disease, among others. Yet, CSOs encountered some problems while undertaking these roles, prominently the closure of the civic space, noninclusion of CSOs in government's pandemic response architecture, and loss of funding. The study recommends, among other things, that in the case of any future public health emergencies of COVID-19 magnitude, the Nigerian Government should make CSOs an integral part of its response structure, while concluding that the application of these measures would incentivize better contributions from CSOs.

Non-Profit Making Organisations (NPOs) and the Dilemma of Combating Transnational Crimes in a Digitalized Era

The paper is premised on the argument that States may find themselves in a dilemma, as they seek to counter transnational crimes, more so and subjects of this paper, illicit money transfers/money laundering and terrorism financing, and doing so with great caution not to restrict the Not-for-Profit Organisations (NPOs) operations. anecdotal evidence suggests that NPOs are caught up as the unintended ‘victims’ of FATF Recommendation-8-based-regulatory and policy frameworks- particularly of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing. while this is so, there is a paucity of literature interrogating the impact of such regulatory and policy frameworks on the NPO sector, even with its uncontested contribution to development and the fight against terrorism. The paper argues that the Sector’s contribution to this important debate is essential for ensuring that they comply with the intended need to protect against terrorism and money laundering while also working in an environment that doesn't jeopardize their contribution to development. Drawing from some of the findings of a recent study undertaken by the Defenders Protection Initiative (DPI) focusing on 5 African countries, the paper revisits the discourse on NPOs and money laundering and terrorism financing presenting an overview of the state of civic space specifically, the operational environment of NPOs in East Africa as impacted upon by the AML/CTF regulatory frameworks. Tapping in the synthesized views of industrial experts (NPO Sector experts) on this matter consulted during the study, the paper unmasks the evolving dilemma of balancing the enforcement of the regulatory framework curbing transnational crimes on one hand and restraining State securitization of the NPO sector since it's prone to exploitation. The paper makes recommendations as emerged from the study aimed purposely at balancing the friction between the regulation of NPOs as against the need to fight terrorism financing and money laundering.

Reflections on government‐led social assistance programmes under Zimbabwe's National Social Protection Policy Framework: A social contract lens

AbstractSocial protection has gained global recognition for its role in addressing poverty, yet delivering social protection remains an intractable challenge for governments in the Global South. In this article, we assess the performance of government‐run social assistance in Zimbabwe. Our assessment begins in 2016 when the National Social Protection Policy Framework (NSPPF) was promulgated to maximize returns on social investments. Utilizing a systematic review approach, we collated literature published between 2016–2023. We find that despite adopting the NSPPF, social protection programming remains a challenge in Zimbabwe. We find that the disbursement of transfers to beneficiaries are delayed, benefits are misaligned with market forces due to inflation, most programmes are run without monitoring and evaluation structures, funding in the sector remains inadequate to reduce poverty and vulnerability, and no grievance and redress mechanisms exist. Our synthesis underscores the need for the refreshment of the social contract in Zimbabwe, a renewal of political will to finance social assistance programmes, engagement to transform policy into action, the expansion of the civic space to ensure citizens effectively participate in calling for social assistance, as well as concerted efforts towards harmonizing existing social assistance programmes. We highlight the need to embed social protection within a human rights‐based framework, and the need for robust monitoring frameworks along with predictable and dedicated financing.

How Civil Societies Are Undermined

Several studies highlight the fact that the first decades of the 21st century are characterized by a resurgence of authoritarianism, which contradicts the optimistic visions of the 1990s regarding the so-called end of history. For instance, Freedom House argues, presenting relevant data, that since 2006, a process of democratic backsliding has been in place worldwide. Not only developing countries or regions are affected but also countries in Europe and Northern America, where democracy once seemed inexpugnable. This illiberal wave thrives on the weaknesses of civil societies and has the effect of further reducing the dimensions of the civic space. Although those who promote open societies are on the defensive, their cause is far from being an obsolete remnant of the second half of the 20th century. However, their endeavors can be ineffective if the causes of the antidemocratic forces’ success are not properly acknowledged. The main goal of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the factors that are vital for building or strengthening closed societies. To shape relevant conclusions, we analyze information from projects like People Power under Attack, realized by the CIVICUS global civil society network or V-Dem (The Varieties of Democracy), managed by an institute affiliated with the University of Gothenburg (Sweden). We focus especially on countries that experienced sharp transformations regarding the state of their civil societies in the last 3–5 years. Our findings underline, among others, the importance of the electoral process and foreign policy influencing the evolution of the civic space. Cases like the Czech Republic suggest that the decline of civil society can be stopped at the polls. The Russian Federation is an example of a successful suspension of civic freedoms under the pretext of protecting the population from toxic foreign interference.

Quietly Finding Space to Promote Environmental Justice: Legal Empowerment Under Constrained Civic Space

Quietly Finding Space to Promote Environmental Justice: Legal Empowerment Under Constrained Civic Space

From Civil to 'Uncivil' Society? Separatist Social Movements and the Shrinking Civic Space in South-East, Nigeria

From Civil to 'Uncivil' Society? Separatist Social Movements and the Shrinking Civic Space in South-East, Nigeria

Safeguarding democracy from the outside in: transnational democratic networks against autocratisation in contemporary Brazil

Over the last decade, democracy in Brazil has been under attack. Efforts to protect Brazilian democracy from autocratisation date back to the impeachment of president Dilma Rousseff in 2016 and have come to a (temporary) conclusion after Jair Bolsonaro’s defeat in the October 2022 elections. One of the most striking elements of democratic resistance in Brazil has been the establishment of multiple and overlapping transnational networks. Would democracy in Brazil have resisted without international pressure? We resort to a process-tracing analysis to argue that transnational networking strategies were a necessary condition to protect Brazilian democracy, in tandem with the domestic role played by Brazil’s organised civil society and political institutions. These networks have operated (1) to maintain the Workers’ Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores, PT) as the main partisan alternative to the far right, represented by Jair Bolsonaro; (2) to preserve the civic spaces necessary to criticise and counter Bolsonaro’s moves to undermine fundamental rights, critical policy areas and democratic institutions; and (3) to increase the costs of attempts to overturn the election results in 2022.

Shrinking civic space and the media: How Indonesian media frame environmental issues

ABSTRACT The trial served by two Indonesian activists, Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti, about allegations of defamation against the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menkomarves), Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, on mining issues, serves as a wake-up call for civil society to re-examine the state of democracy in Indonesia. The criminalization of activists and the representation of civil society organizations are the most explicit symptoms of shrinking civic space, which will worsen advocacy on environmental issues. At the same time, mainstream media in Indonesia tends to be ineffective in serving as watchdogs. This research aims to demonstrate how Indonesian media covers the phenomenon of shrinking civic space that occurred in Indonesia from 2020 to 2021, particularly in environmental issues. The study examined news articles from 34 media outlets to categorize the symptoms of shrinking civic space. Recognizing the potential for significant underreporting in the coverage of shrinking civic space in environmental issues, this research also be supplemented with in-depth interviews with five senior environmental journalists. This study shows how media patterns frame the coverage of shrinking civic space and how media has become one of the loci of the shrinking civic space phenomenon.

Becoming Changemakers: How Social-Emotional Learning Can Enhance Civic Agency Development

To better prepare students for active and thoughtful participation in a democratic society, civic education should foster an array of civic competencies. Cultivating student civic agency—an under-studied civic competency—is of particular importance to equip students to authentically use their voice in their communities. But what does it look like to foster student civic agency in a classroom setting? This article leverages a social and emotional learning (SEL) framework to uncover the active curricular ingredients and educational mechanisms through which a student-led civics curriculum has fostered civic agency. In this multi-site case study, we analyze the implementation of an eighth grade student-led civics curriculum in a northeastern U.S. state. We outline how implicit SEL processes in these classrooms, stemming from a pedagogical focus on “changemakers,” supported development of civic agency. We found that the changemakers theme facilitated student exploration of their own civic identity and values, while prompting students to critically examine political power structures. Notably, the theme also helped students to develop a narrative of self as changemakers and to envision themselves actively engaged in civic spaces. This study adds insights to growing evidence on the multi-faceted benefits that civically-oriented SEL may offer to preparing young people to engage in democracy.

Voice, access, and ownership: enabling environments for nutrition advocacy in India and Nigeria

What constitutes an enabling environment for nutrition advocacy in low- and middle-income countries? While a sizeable body of scholarship considers the enabling environment for nutrition policy, we focus specifically on the necessary conditions for advocacy. We argue that three factors—voice, access, and ownership—provide a useful lens into the advocacy enabling environment. These are operationalized, respectively, as the space to articulate and frame policy positions, entry points to interact with policy decision makers, and the existence of committed decision makers rather than those responding to pressures from external actors. These three factors are explored vis-à-vis a comparative analysis of two federal democracies—India and Nigeria—that each have vibrant advocacy communities confronting persistent malnutrition. Drawing on more than 100 structured interviews with nutrition advocates, government actors, donors, and researchers in the two countries, we highlight the ways in which voice, access, and ownership interactively shape advocacy efforts. In doing so, we find that Nigeria has a less ideological approach to certain nutrition issues than in India but also perceived to be more beholden to external actors in defining its nutrition actions. Recent restrictions on freedom of speech and association shrunk the civic space in India but these were less problematic in Nigeria. In both countries, the multi-tiered, multi-party system offers many different points of access into the policy arena, with sometimes negative implications for coordination. Overall, the paper contributes more broadly to the literature on enabling environments by highlighting potential indicators to guide nutrition advocates in other settings.

Reading and (re)writing democracy: Asian American girls claim civic space through literary inquiry

PurposeThis paper aims to trace how Asian American girls engaged with civic learning in a virtual out-of-school literacy community featuring a curriculum of diverse literary texts.Design/methodology/approachThe researcher used practitioner inquiry to construct a virtual literacy education community dedicated to the civic learning of Asian American girls.FindingsThe paper explores how participants mobilized critical practices of textual consumption and production rooted in their intersectional identities and embodied experiences to make meaning of the civic constraints and affordances of marginalized identities and to read and (re)design author choices for civic purposes. These findings – examples of youths’ critical civic meaning-making – indicate how they claimed space for Asian American civic girlhoods in literacy education.Originality/valueThis paper foregrounds how Asian American girls mobilize critical processes of text consumption and production to assert civic identities in literacy education – a significantly under-examined topic in literacy studies. This work has implications for how literacy practitioners and scholars can prioritize Asian American civic girlhoods through pedagogy and research.