Campaigning for civic space
Defending participation is defending the very essence of citizen action and civil society. We work to expand civic space, protect people power, and promote fairer, more inclusive forms of making our voices heard around the world.
Explore the milestones in this section by clicking on each year. Learn how we’ve driven collective action through advocacy and human rights defense.
2004
Relocation of the Secretariat to Johannesburg
Inspired by resistance to apartheid, we recognized the urgency of joining the democratization process. This strategic and symbolic shift from Washington, D.C. to Johannesburg reflected our commitment to addressing global issues from the perspective of the Global South — home to most of the world’s population and where civil society faces its greatest challenges.
Through this reform process, we refined our internal governance and adopted a more activist, rights-based approach.
2004
Nelson Mandela – Graça Machel Innovation Awards
Launched at the World Assembly in Botswana, these awards recognize those who created new ways to drive civil society forward. Since their inception, this recognition has become a central feature of later assemblies.
Know more: Innovation Awards
2005-2007
Hosting the GCAP Secretariat
We hosted the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), also known as the “Make Poverty History” campaign. Together, we boosted global visibility for poverty eradication.
2009
Civil Society Watch
We launched this program to defend civic actors under threat. As authoritarianism increased, it became even more crucial for people to monitor, report, and share information about new threats to civil society and human rights defenders.
That same year, the Eurasia IDEA Network was created to promote awareness and international solidarity around human rights abuses in former Soviet Union countries.
2011
“Every Human Has Rights” Campaign
This campaign promoted greater awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a cornerstone for supporting human rights defenders.
That year, the Civil Society Watch online platform was also launched.
2013
A new operational phase
Marked by new key grants and a significant increase in available resources to strengthen our programs, this year was a turning point in terms of:
- Membership model transformation: from an institutional model (50–100 organizations) to one that welcomes thousands of individual members while staying grounded in solidarity and inclusion.
- Youth leadership integration: from consultative roles (Youth Advisory Group) to the direct inclusion of youth leadership into CIVICUS’ board.
- Organizational model evolution: from a Johannesburg-centered structure to one where about half of our 90 staff members work remotely across the world, allowing for a more global and representative presence.
2014
VUKA! Coalition
This global civil society alliance, organized by CIVICUS but operating autonomously, brings together a diverse network of international, regional, and grassroots organizations to counter growing threats to civic freedoms worldwide. It fosters solidarity, information exchange, and rapid response mechanisms rooted in local leadership and collective action.
Know more: Vuka!
2017
Speak Campaign
SPEAK! was a global campaign aiming to give a voice to everyone, everywhere. Launched in 2017, the campaign has provided a platform for people across the world to "speak out" on the issues that matter most to them. In 2021, in the face of increasing social and political polarization, the campaign created opportunities for people and communities to come together across lines of division and "speak with" each other - helping resolve conflicts, create connections and build understanding.
2020
Strengthening public advocacy
Strengthening public advocacy
In response to the global crackdown on civic freedoms intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, we stepped up our advocacy efforts.
We also enhanced our digital engagement with members and launched the CIVICUS Online Community.
“Stand As My Witness” Campaign
Created to amplify cases, mobilize public pressure, and demand releases through petitions, storytelling, social media, and partnerships.
Launched on Nelson Mandela Day, this urgent, coordinated response addressed the alarming increase in arbitrary detentions of human rights defenders under emergency laws and repressive state practices.
Take action here: Stand As My Witness
Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI)
This project originated when our board recognized the urgent need for a comprehensive digital strategy. The DDI subsequently evolved into an initiative to map the digital civic space ecosystem across the Alliance, and is now the largest CIVICUS programme. This project drives support to ensure that civil society operating across obstructed and repressed contexts is better prepared to use digital technology for civic engagement and to expand inclusive democracy and civic space.
Know more: Digital Democracy Initiative
2021
Grassroots Solidarity Revolution (GSR)
A multifaceted initiative co-created with and for grassroots activists. We seek to center their needs, visions, voices, and demands to help donors and organizations become better allies and offer more relevant resources and partnerships. It calls for a full rethinking of relationships, mindsets, and solidarity practices based on trust.
2023
Local Leadership Labs (LLL)
The Local Leadership Labs (LLL) is aimed at tackling some of the barriers (political, technical, behavioural) preventing governments, donors, and other stakeholders from adopting and delivering on commitments that recognize, enable and resource diverse local civil society groups as key development actors in their own right.
Know more: Local Leadership Labs
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Defending participation is only one of the paths we travel. Explore other historic milestones to learn how uniting voices and knowledge strengthens civic action around the world.
