How can civil society actors in fragile and increasingly repressive environments continue their work towards marginalised communities?

Civic space, defined broadly as the space for civil society actors to maneuver (Buyse, 2018), is being challenged globally. The situation is particularly challenging in fragile contexts, amid rising authoritarianism, shrinking freedoms, and increasing vulnerabilities.

Drawing from a combination of literature review and policy analysis, the study presented during this Refract Café offers fresh perspectives on the interplay between civic space and fragility, and how the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principle can serve as a complementary lens to understand the adaptive power of civil society actors.

The presentation discussed five innovative strategies employed by civil society actors to maintain their agency in the face of shifting civic space. The authors also shared insights from case studies and testimonies on how these actors strive to incorporate and support the LNOB principle in their agendas during challenging times.

The session highlighted practical recommendations for donors and civil society organisations seeking to sustain meaningful engagement with local actors in fragile contexts.