In a time when traditional funding models are shrinking, NGOs need to look outside of the box and find creative ways to sustain their work. We spoke with members of our network and gathered a few insights based on their experiences navigating current funding challenges.
Some are diversifying their income, others are rethinking their communication strategies, but one thing is key: flexibility and collaboration matter more than ever.
Even if this list of tips is far from exhaustive, we hope these tips can be helpful — and we would love to hear your own stories in the comments.
Thank you to the GLAS Foundation and Watchdog Poland for their contributions!
Flashback time! In times when civic space continues to shrink, meeting your peers in-person takes on even greater precedence.
Today we’re taking a look back at our Annual Conference from last year, which was themed on the topic of “participation, cross-border engagement and global advocacy”. Our members shared experiences, discussed advocacy approaches and reflected on the challenges ahead.
Our main takeaway? “Democracy is everyday business,” said our Executive Director Nataliya Novakova. It was a good reminder that democracy cannot be taken for granted and it’s the consistent and collective work we do together that keeps it functioning.
Here are some of our main highlights
New position alert! We are looking for a Student Assistant (Projects and Events) to join us and support in organising a variety of international activities, including our Annual Conference, public events for civil society and the ongoing Berlin Hub project. Check out link in bio for full job description.
#job #studentjobs #studentopportunities
For the #WorldBookDay, we’ve brought together a selection of books that speak to resistance and freedom. Through personal stories, these books reflect the courage of people confronting injustice across different places and histories.
We’re glad to see the @onlinekas taking the lead in putting transnational repression (#TNR) on the agenda in Germany.
Last week’s round table, “Effectively Combating #TransnationalRepression,” was an important step in moving from awareness to action.
Speaking at the KAS round table, CSF Executive Director Nataliya Novakova addressed the protection of human rights defenders in Germany.
She highlighted the need for mobility support, psychosocial support, training and stronger coordination among relevant government bodies to ensure that transnational repression is effectively prevented.
Thanks to KAS for creating space for this timely and necessary discussion.
Our community is growing, and we are glad to welcome @prometheus_art_official to the Civil Society Forum.
Prometheus is a cultural initiative at the intersection of #contemporaryart and #civilsociety. As part of @kulturschafft_ , it works on local and international projects that encourage collective creativity and intercultural exchange.
Its work centres
➨ on supporting critical artists – many of whom are in deeply vulnerable situations by helping them gain professional recognition through exhibitions and creating economic opportunities by building platforms for those who currently lack access to them;
➨ on preserving a unique archive of resistance for future generations;
➨ and on using art as a tool to engage the widest possible audience in conversations about urgent social issues.
A warm welcome to Prometheus!
A familiar #civilsociety dilemma: we are often expected to plan for the future while responding to emergencies in the present.
With wars, political pressure, climate crisis and financial instability setting the mood, that can feel like a bad joke. But in turbulent times, not having a perfect long-term plan is often just reality. And that's OK!
If you're on the hunt for some ideas for the long-term, we collected some tips in our recent newsletter on how to build #financialresilience in difficult times.
Check it out via link in bio.
Illustration by @dominikwendland exclusively for the Civil Society Forum.
Today, #Hungary and democracy supporters across all of #Europe are celebrating the results of the #Hungarianelections, proof that the will of the people can peacefully prevail over authoritarian leaders - even in times of propaganda and disinformation.
While #Magyar's victory is something to celebrate, the battle is not over yet. Can democratic norms be rebuilt after years of erosion? And what role can civil society play in bridging divisions and sustaining long-term opposition to authoritarian rule?
Join us for an online discussion hosted by the @dandbforum (Democracy and Belonging Forum) in partnership with the Civil Society Forum: Making Sense of… the Hungarian Elections, on Wednesday, April 15, from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM CET.
What happens in Hungary matters far beyond Hungary. Let’s discuss what happens next.
Register via link in bio.
Berlin people! Tomorrow, April 10, the Human Rights Film Festival Berlin kicks off, and we’ve already chosen our top three must-see films.
Under this year’s motto, “Where Stories Fight Back,” HRFFB brings together 24 powerful international documentaries that shine a light on real lives and personal stories behind the headlines.
Are you going too? Don’t miss it, check full programme at @humanrightsfilmfestival.berlin .
CSF is about community: bringing people together across borders to advance civil society and human rights.
We asked some of our members what CSF means to them and what they value most about being part of it.
Many of them spoke about cross-sector exchange, cross-pollination of ideas, opportunities for systemic impact, connection to a professional and expert community, partnerships and solidarity.
Here’s one of our favourite quotes from our members, which compared us to an octopus.
With more than 160 organisations part of our network, we definitely have a lot of legs, and hopefully more in the future too!
Last week, an inspiring group of people came together for the launch meeting of the Community of Practice on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in Europe, with CSF Executive Director Nataliya Novakova joining on behalf of the Civil Society Forum.
As Christina Meinecke, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the European Union, said in her welcome speech, “At its core, this initiative is about building trust and working together towards shared priorities and solutions to address existing and emerging challenges.”
For us at CSF, this was an important moment to connect with partners from across Europe and contribute to a collective effort to strengthen protection for human rights defenders.
We are proud to be part of a community working to build a more coordinated and sustainable support system for defenders across the region.
