The signs we missed and the pathways forward

In recent years, the phrase “shrinking civic space” has increasingly appeared in discussions across Europe – often used, but not always fully understood. During our online exchange on 16 April 2025, it became clear that this is no longer a distant or emerging concern. Across the continent, civic space is narrowing in subtle and often coordinated ways. In a telling example, on the very same day of our discussion, both Georgia and Slovakia introduced legislation aimed at tightening control over NGOs and restricting foreign funding, framed as efforts to increase transparency or protect national sovereignty.

Our conversation focused on experiences in Bulgaria, Serbia and Slovakia. Though each country’s context is distinct, the reflections shared by participants revealed a number of common patterns. In many places, early warning signs went unrecognised or were met with hesitation. Responses were often constrained, not through lack of commitment, but due to limited capacity, rapidly changing conditions, or uncertainty about the appropriate course of action.

Bulgaria: Gradual erosion through institutional fragility
In Bulgaria, civil society has faced increasing pressure, not through sweeping restrictions, but through a slow process of weakening the institutional mechanisms for civic participation. Particularly those for young people have remained in place on paper, but their function has become largely symbolic. Meanwhile, narratives centred on the protection of children, gender identity and family values have been deployed to undermine the legitimacy of civil-society actors, casting them as anti-national, as traitors – an approach long embedded in Russian disinformation playbooks. Rather than direct confrontation, organisations have had to contend with shifting regulations, administrative hurdles and sustained reputational challenges – creating an environment of uncertainty and fatigue.

Serbia: Growing isolation and pressure on public discourse
In Serbia, civil society has long operated in a challenging environment. Since the early 2010s, restrictions have become more formalised and more visible. Public discourse is a particular point of concern – many civic organisations and individuals have been targeted through media narratives that present them as out of step with national interests. This creates not only reputational risk, but a sense of isolation. The space for constructive dialogue has narrowed, and civic voices often find themselves disconnected from wider public debates.

Slovakia: From relative openness to rapid change
Until recently, Slovakia was seen as an example of constructive engagement between civil society and the state. Many organisations were well-connected, active in policy-making processes, and confident in their role. However, following the 2023 elections, this situation changed rapidly. Civil society actors described a shift in tone and pace, with previously trusted channels of cooperation becoming less reliable, and new legal proposals emerging with limited consultation. The result has been a renewed sense of urgency and the need to adapt quickly to a changing landscape.

In all three countries, despite the differences in context, several shared tactics can be observed, including the use of morality-based narratives, alignment with sympathetic media outlets, legal amendments passed with limited transparency, and the emergence of state-friendly civic actors framed as the legitimate civil society. These are not isolated developments, but part of a wider pattern that civic educators and organisations across Europe are increasingly aware of.

The discussion also highlighted a more difficult truth: many of us were slow to respond, not out of complacency, but often because we hoped existing norms and protections would hold. This experience underscores the importance of recognising early signs and acting with clarity, even when the path forward is uncertain.

Pathways for resilience
At the same time, there are reasons for cautious optimism and hope. Across the region, individuals and organisations are finding ways to adapt, creating new forms of civic education, strengthening informal networks, and building alliances across generations and borders. Digital tools, community-based storytelling and collaborative learning approaches are helping to reimagine what civic space can look like under pressure.

For civic educators, in particular, the way forward involves more than raising the alarm. It means nurturing resilience by supporting critical thinking, fostering dialogue in everyday settings, and helping people of all ages understand and value the role of civic actors in civil society. Even in constrained environments, these efforts remain possible and incredibly vital.

In Bulgaria, civil society has responded to increasing political pressure with a shift from fragmented, reactive efforts to a more coordinated and strategic front. A non-formal coalition of organisations emerged in 2024 to counter legislative threats, particularly targeting a controversial education bill. This coalition enabled fast, cross-sector mobilisation, which proved far more effective than past siloed campaigns. Key to its success was the engagement of business allies, who joined forces with civic actors to block problematic legislation. Beyond resistance, the coalition launched proactive campaigns, e.g. for a volunteering law, a new council for civil society development, and transparent public appointments, helping reframe civil society as constructive and solutions-oriented, not just oppositional.

In Serbia, civic actors are coping with growing repression by strengthening internal solidarity and investing in generational renewal. Informal networks have taken precedence over formal coalitions, allowing for swift coordination during urgent threats such as police raids on CSO offices. At the same time, many organisations are reckoning with the psychological legacies of the 1990s and the narratives that still shape civic discourse, even within progressive spaces. A new generation of activists is not just being engaged – they are being empowered to lead, make mistakes, and shape civic strategies. This approach, combined with a shift from rigid project delivery to flexible, context-driven priorities, has enabled Serbian civil society to stay agile in a politically volatile environment.

In Slovakia, civil society continues to operate with a clear sense of purpose and moral commitment, drawing strength from intrinsic motivation and shared values. Despite increasing political hostility, organisations remain anchored by legal protections, e.g. leveraging constitutional safeguards, drawing on in-sector legal expertise, and working closely with the national ombudsperson to contest questionable laws. Psychological support structures and mental health awareness are helping sustain long-term engagement in the face of burnout. At the strategic level, Slovak NGOs are adapting their funding models, improving internal coordination, and forming coalitions across borders. Advocacy at the European level remains crucial: legal instruments and EU institutions offer critical tools for defending civic space where national mechanisms are being eroded.

These examples do not suggest that resistance is easy – only that it is possible, and increasingly informed by collective learning, creative adaptation, and a recognition that resilience is a practice shaped by shared values, solidarity and long-term vision.

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This article draws on insights shared during the NECE Campus online event, “Europe’s Shrinking Civic Space: Lessons from Bulgaria, Serbia, and Slovakia,” held on 16 April 2025.