The Expert Council on NGO Law of the Conference of INGOs ha launched a new study on “Recent national developments that actually or potentially undermine the ability of NGOs to operate” and is therefore inviting Civil Society Organisations to share their opinion and experience by answering a short questionnaire regarding the situation in their country.
In 2024, the Expert Council released a study on Stigmatisation of Non-Governmental Organisations in Europe(Conf/Exp(2024)1, 20 March 2024). That study identified multiple threats to the non-governmental organisations which have impacted adversely on civic space in some member States of the Council of Europe. The report found that NGOs advocating for the rights of minorities, LGBTI people, migrants and vulnerable groups are most often targeted for less favourable treatment in terms of access to funds, politicians’ and vigilante groups’ attacks, abusive legal actions, etc. Moreover, it found that NGO regulations in many member States were evolving in a more restrictive manner, especially as regards receipt of foreign funding.
Since the publication of this study, the situation has continued to evolve, notably as regards the availability of funding, the regulation of access to it, especially where it comes from abroad, and attempts to curtail the activities undertaken by NGOs. In view of such developments, the Expert Council wishes to build upon the Stigmatisation study, by focusing on these financial and regulatory changes that recent developments are having on NGOs in Council of Europe member States and Kosovo.
Your replies will hugely help the Expert Council in drawing a comprehensive picture of the situation of European civil society at the moment.
- Deadline extension for submission of responses: 10 October 2025
- Link to the Questionnaire
- To submit your answers to the questionnaire click on SEND TO and COPY to. (When responding, please indicate whether the identity of your organisation should remain anonymous in the study).
