Civic Space Snapshot
A rapid diagnostic tool measuring restrictions, opportunities, and trends in civic space. It equips organizations with actionable insights to protect freedoms and engage effectively with civil society.
Defending civic space in a shrinking world
Civic space, freedoms of association, assembly, and expression, defines whether civil society can operate safely and lawfully. In many countries it is narrowing fast through restrictive laws, funding controls, surveillance, and protest policing. Before launching or scaling programs, donors and NGOs increasingly need a clear answer: How open or closed is the civic space right now?
What it is
A 15-day, fixed-price operating-environment assessment that provides an evidence-based view of legal frameworks, enforcement practice, the digital environment, and near-term scenarios — enabling clients to calibrate program design, advocacy, and risk posture.
What it delivers
- Legal & Regulatory Profile – laws on association, registration, funding, political activity, media, and online speech
- Enforcement & Practice Trends – how rules are applied in practice (suspensions, raids, deregistrations)
- Digital Civic Space Check – surveillance, platform blocking, shutdown history
- Assembly & Expression Environment – permit regimes, policing patterns, media independence
- Risk Map & 3–6 Month Scenarios – civic space scorecard, triggers, and operational advisories
- Stakeholder & Recourse Map – key authorities, ombuds/NHRIs, journalist unions, and legal aid nodes
Deliverables
- 8–12 page Snapshot Report
- Scorecard & Heat Map
- Scenario & Advisory Note
- Executive Briefing (virtual, 60 minutes)
Who uses it
- Donors and INGOs planning entry, scale-up, or advocacy in sensitive contexts
- Consortia/bidders needing a pre-bid operating-environment check
- Foundations conducting country risk gating for grants
- Governments designing reform strategies or preparing for donor qualification
- Private social investors engaging in restrictive settings
15 business days
Intake
Define country/region, focus, timeframe
Desk research
Legal/policy review, media monitoring
Expert soundings
2–3 confidential calls with practitioners
Synthesis
Scorecarding, risk map, scenarios
Delivery & briefing
Full snapshot package + virtual walkthrough
Pricing Plans
For organizations needing both external environment analysis and internal compliance readiness, this service can be combined with PRM Light or the Partner Due Diligence & Readiness Pack.
Request a Civic Space Snapshot and receive a decision-ready operating environment assessment in just 15 days.
