Civic space is a cornerstone of functioning democracies. Defined as the set of legal, policy, institutional and practical conditions non-governmental actors need to access information, express themselves, associate, organise and participate in public life.
Protected civic space facilitates participation in public affairs, which is a fundamental right, according to international standards (UNOHCHR). It allows citizens and civil society organisations (CSOs) to engage with governments, participate throughout policy- and decision-making cycles and provide oversight of government activities. By promoting and protecting civic freedoms (particularly freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association) and providing concrete opportunities for engagement, governments can in turn better align services, policies and laws to societal needs.
This first OECD report on the protection and promotion of civic space aims to support Members and non-Members to raise standards and improve their policies by providing an exhaustive overview of the different dimensions of civic space and suggesting a wide range of measures to safeguard it. Based on government data from a survey of 52 central governments (of which 33 are OECD Members), it focuses on 4 key areas: the protection of civic freedoms; access to information as a right; media freedoms and civic space in the digital age; and the enabling environment for civil society.
Read the report here
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