The Enabling Space: Voices of Civil Society Resistance

EU SEE
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Around the world, civil society organisations face increasing legal, political, financial and digital threats. From shrinking civic spaces to disinformation campaigns and declining donor availability, the environment for civil society actors is becoming ever more fragile and volatile. The EU System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EUSEE) was launched in 2025 as a collaborative initiative that monitors these developments and provides timely alerts, policy analysis and advocacy support to strengthen civil society’s resilience. As a complement to this monitoring work, this podcast aims to amplify the voices behind the data and the movements behind the headlines.

Episodes

  1. La Emergencia Permanente como Régimen de Control en América Latina y el Caribe, con Eduardo Marenco, CIVICUS

    4d ago

    La Emergencia Permanente como Régimen de Control en América Latina y el Caribe, con Eduardo Marenco, CIVICUS

    En este segundo episodio en español del podcast de la EU SEE retomamos la conversación iniciada en nuestro primer episodio sobre Ecuador para ampliar la mirada hacia las dinámicas regionales en América Latina y el Caribe. En los últimos años, diversos gobiernos de la región han recurrido a leyes de emergencia y estados de excepción que, bajo el argumento de garantizar la seguridad pública, han sido utilizados para suspender garantías fundamentales y restringir el espacio de actuación de la sociedad civil. Países como El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala y Trinidad y Tobago evidencian cómo estas medidas, inicialmente presentadas como temporales, tienden a consolidarse como mecanismos permanentes de control político. En este episodio conversamos con Eduardo Marenco, politólogo y abogado de CIVICUS, sobre las tendencias regionales en torno al uso de estos marcos normativos, la construcción de narrativas como la del “terrorismo” para justificar violaciones de derechos humanos, y el impacto específico que estas medidas tienen sobre el derecho a la protesta pacífica y la organización de la sociedad civil. También reflexionamos sobre la importancia de fortalecer la resistencia colectiva frente al avance del autoritarismo y defender la democracia en la región.

    30 min
  2. Ecuador: El uso selectivo de las leyes para restringir la sociedad civil

    May 18

    Ecuador: El uso selectivo de las leyes para restringir la sociedad civil

    En este primer episodio en español del podcast de la EU SEE contamos con la participación de nuestros socios de la red en Ecuador. En el último año aproximadamente, el Gobierno de Ecuador ha aprobado o intentado aprobar diversas leyes que, en general, han sido utilizadas para restringir el espacio de actuación de las organizaciones de la sociedad civil. Por ejemplo, la Ley Orgánica de Transparencia Social fue empleada para congelar las cuentas bancarias de una conocida organización de la sociedad civil, la Fundación Pachamama. En este episodio analizamos las tendencias que se observan en Ecuador en relación con la introducción de este tipo de normativas y su aplicación selectiva, así como la forma en que están siendo utilizadas para restringir el entorno propicio para la sociedad civil. Este es el primero de dos episodios; el segundo abordará las dinámicas regionales.

    29 min
  3. The Anti-Rights Movement and the War on Gender Policy with Florence Bateson and Ilse Wermink

    Mar 24

    The Anti-Rights Movement and the War on Gender Policy with Florence Bateson and Ilse Wermink

    In this special episode for gender justice month, we talk to Ilse Wermink, MenEngage Europe Director and Florence Bateson, Gender, Peace and Security Expert, to discuss the $1bn globally coordinated war on gender policy, the growing anti-rights movement and its impact in international fora, and the challenges of working on gender policy in hostile, often dangerous, contexts. This is a confronting episode that captures the interlinkages between the war on gender policy and attempts to choke democracy and shrink the enabling environment for civil society. It's a must hear for anyone, especially men, working in this space.

    55 min
  4. Nepal: Hope, Gen-Z and Gender Empowerment Ahead of 5 March Elections

    Mar 2

    Nepal: Hope, Gen-Z and Gender Empowerment Ahead of 5 March Elections

    Today’s guest is Arjun Bhattarai, President of the NGO Federation of Nepal and a member of the global Forus network, EU SEE network member. Nepal's most important election in years is right around the corner. In this timely episode, we talk about the youth-led mobilisation in Nepal, shifts in the enabling environment and — especially in this Gender Justice Month — the intersection between youth activism, gender equality and democratic participation.

    23 min
  5. Thailand: Lèse-Majesté and the Future of Freedom of Expression

    Feb 2

    Thailand: Lèse-Majesté and the Future of Freedom of Expression

    Thailand is rapidly approaching new elections and a constitutional referendum on 8 February, following the recent dissolution of the Parliament by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on December 11th, the consequences of which include the lapse of the Amnesty Bill, among other things. In this episode we talk to our network member in Thialand to discuss this, Lèse-Majesté, and other developments that impact the enabling environment for civil society. You can learn more about the changing environment for civil society in Thailand by reading the EU SEE's recently published country focus report on the country.

    24 min
  6. Algérie : Naviguer dans un espace civique sous pression

    12/29/2025

    Algérie : Naviguer dans un espace civique sous pression

    Dans cet épisode d’Enabling Space, Voices of Civil Society Resilience, nous parlons avec Zakaria Benlahrech, avocat et directeur de la Fondation pour la promotion des droits en Algérie. Il nous parle des défis auxquels la société civile algérienne est confrontée, entre répression croissante, lois restrictives et contrôle des financements étrangers. Découvrez comment les OSC continuent de résister, de défendre les droits et d’innover malgré les obstacles, et quelles priorités devraient guider la communauté internationale pour soutenir leur travail.

    22 min
  7. Gen Z and the Future of Democracy with Green MEP Catarina Vieira

    12/11/2025

    Gen Z and the Future of Democracy with Green MEP Catarina Vieira

    In this episode we sit down with Dutch/Portuguese Green MEP Catarina Vieira, one of the youngest MEPs in the European Parliament. We talk about the rise of Gen-Z and the movement's impact on global democracy. We also discuss the advantages, and disadvantages, in the rise of digital technologies within civic space. These tools are a boon for civil society and protest movement's ability to organise, but they are also quickly being used by Governments and other actors to oppress civil society and create a disabling environment for civic space online. This is felt nowhere more strongly than in Myanmar, which has seen a severe militarisation of the internet in recent years amid a violent and dangerous crackdown against civil society. We also touch upon how policymakers and be brought closer to those on the ground fighting for a better enabling environment for civil space through ground-up organisations like the EU SEE.

    20 min
  8. From the Streets to the Screens: Strategies for Defending the Digital Enabling Environment

    11/01/2025

    From the Streets to the Screens: Strategies for Defending the Digital Enabling Environment

    Conversations about civic space, referred to as the "enabling environment" in the EU SEE Project, often unfold along two parallel tracks: one addressing traditional aspects such as freedom of assembly, access to funding, and association rights, and another focused on the digital realm. These discussions are sometimes treated separately, with the digital dimension viewed as secondary or less integrated. In this episode, we explore how the digital sphere is now a critical space for civic engagement and participation, while also becoming an area of growing concern due to increasing restrictions, surveillance, and risks faced by civil society actors around the world. See the full EU SEE insight report here:

    22 min
  9. Introducing Country Focus Reports: A Global Health Check for Democracy and Civil Society

    09/25/2025

    Introducing Country Focus Reports: A Global Health Check for Democracy and Civil Society

    In this episode we talk to EU SEE Programme Lead David Kode about the EU SEE's launch of Country Focus Reports, and the trends and insights that are following into the state of global civil society. We cover topics like foreign agents laws, cybersecurity and cyber laws, resource constraints, USAID funding cuts, and more. The EU system for an enabling environment (EU SEE) is generating a landmark set of it is six country focus reports, documenting the state of enabling environment for civil society around the world. These reports bring rich, in-depth analysis on evidence from diverse contexts. The podcast series offers a dynamic platform to bring these findings to life. By featuring voices from the field - civil society leaders, activists and policy influences – we can humanise the data, highlight local realities and inspire both policy change and public support for civic space. Myanmar Country Focus Report - Eu SEE Peru Country Focus Report - Eu SEE Mexico Country Focus Report - Eu SEE Alerts - Eu SEE

    16 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Around the world, civil society organisations face increasing legal, political, financial and digital threats. From shrinking civic spaces to disinformation campaigns and declining donor availability, the environment for civil society actors is becoming ever more fragile and volatile. The EU System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EUSEE) was launched in 2025 as a collaborative initiative that monitors these developments and provides timely alerts, policy analysis and advocacy support to strengthen civil society’s resilience. As a complement to this monitoring work, this podcast aims to amplify the voices behind the data and the movements behind the headlines.

Information