Civic space and international development: how restrictions on civil society in the UK and globally undermine social change

An open and inclusive civic space is fundamental for achieving social change but it’s being eroded, here in the UK and around the world.  

This blog, the first in a two-part series, will look at what is happening to civic space and how its impacting international development. In the second part we will look what international NGOs can do to help strengthen civic space.   

What is civic space and why does it matter?  

Civic space is the environment in which civil society can exist and act, both online or offline. More specifically, it refers to the political, legal, regulatory, policy, social, cultural, economic and security context in which civil society operates. These include the rights and freedoms it needs to function. This includes the rights to freedom of assembly and association, to freedom of expression and opinion, to information and to participation, fundamental rights for everyone. 

Civil society is made up of wide range of organisations, groups, individuals and movements. Often working with people and communities who are excluded or marginalised, they are critical to advocating for working towards ending global poverty, building sustainable peace, protecting human rights and fighting climate change in inclusive and just ways.  

When civic space is restricted, it becomes harder for civil society actors at any level,  to function effectively. For example, if organisations are prevented from registering as a charity, they cannot operate legally or access funds. If they are excluded from policy processes, the voices of the people they work with will not be heard nor considered by those in power. This also missed an opportunity to build trust and collaboration with communities. 

If civil society actors are unable to operate, this can have wider negative impacts and will affect all parts of society. Without a vibrant and active civil society, there is less transparency and accountability, more corruption, fewer opportunities supporting economic and social inclusion (especially the participation of marginalised groups), and reduced effectiveness of government policies and services.  

How is civic space being restricted?  

Pressures and restrictions on civil society are not a new phenomenon. Research by CIVICUS shows there has been a global decline in civic space, restrictions on civil society are increasing in every region, and are present in both democratic and authoritarian regimes.   

Governments often use the same tools to curb civic freedoms. Most common are the use of funding restrictions and other bureaucratic measures, such as imposing excessive registration or reporting requirements on organisations, or placing undue restrictions on the kinds of issues they can work on or types of activities they can undertake.  

Governments may also limit participation, particularly in policy development or decision-making processes. Civil society participation is often limited at the UN and has been severely constrained at high profile international summits, including the recent Financing for Development Conference in Seville and at the annual UN summits on climate change.  

The criminalisation of activism and protest using counter-terrorism regulations, public order legislation and, increasingly, defamation and cyber-security laws is another common technique. As is the use of AI-enabled surveillance and digital repression to monitor civil society (e.g. through spyware or facial recognition technology) or curb their access to information and ability to organise (e.g. through internet shutdowns or online content restrictions).  

At the most extreme end, we see the threat or use of physical violence to harass, intimidate or even eliminate civil society activists. According to Frontline Defenders, who record the number of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) killed every year, 324 were killed in 2024, although the true figure is likely to be much higher.  

Who is most affected? 

In most cases, restrictions and pressures on civil society are targeted, with some groups  facing greater risks than others. Those most at risk are generally individuals and organisations that seek to hold powerful actors to account or challenge vested interests, such as those working on corruption, land rights or environmental protection. Those who are seen to confront dominant social and gender norms, such as LGBT+ activists, women HRDs and those working on women’s rights or gender justice are also more at risk, as are those from or who represent the rights and interests of minority religious or ethnic groups or indigenous communities.​  

But pressures and restrictions on civil society impact everyone. This is because they often have a wider chilling effect, where those who are not directly targeted change their behaviour or engage in self-censorship to mitigate risks or silence themselves to avoid risks altogether.  

What is driving this trend? 

The underlying causes of this global trend are multiple and complex. In a study published a few years ago, the Funders Initiative for Civil Society identified several drivers including right wing-populism and authoritarianism, the proliferation of counterterrorism and security frameworks, and unchecked corporate power. Global instability and conflict, including wars in Ukraine and Gaza are also impacting civic space, as is the climate emergency, environmental degradation, the destruction of nature and the competition over land and resources.  

What about the UK? 

The UK is not immune to this global trend. UK civic space was downgraded to ‘obstructed’ by CIVICUS in 2023. Over the last 15 years, a host of laws, regulations and policies that limit political activity, campaigning and participation have been put in place.  

The previous government introduced several anti-protest laws which sought to clamp down on disruptive protests. While the current UK government is seeking to reset its relationship with civil society, publishing the Civil Society Covenant in July 2025, it continues to place fresh restrictions on protest rights. It is pushing through another anti-protest law and has used counter-terrorism powers to proscribe a non-violent protest group, while police are increasingly using of AI-powered facial recognition software to monitor protests and public assemblies.  

Those most affected are racial justice, migration and environmental groups. The offices of several migration and refugee charities were attacked during the 2024 race riots, and these organisations continue to be targeted by right wing actors. Environmental activists and pro-Palestine campaigners are the primary target of new anti-protest powers.  

How do restrictions on UK civic space impact international NGOs? 

In recent years, several large charities, including some international development organisations, have been attacked in the media and then reported to the Charity Commission, mostly for speaking out on issues that some in society consider to be contentious, such as poverty, migration, or racism. These attacks, as well as other restrictions such as those on protest rights, the use of anti-advocacy clauses and limits on campaigning ahead of elections, have had a broader chilling effect on UK civil society, including international NGOs. 

As regulations on campaigning have become stricter, penalties have become harsher and public debate more polarised, many NGOs have become more risk averse and less outspoken. However, in the face of severe cuts to development assistance and ongoing atrocities in Gaza, some organisations are once again finding their voice.  It is also changing as organisations begin to embrace justice-led approaches and chose to speak out in solidarity, such as the 43 international development CEOs who signed a statement marking the anniversary of the race riots.  

The second part of this series will look at different ways that international development charities can act to protect civic space here in the UK and globally.