Democracy is facing increasing erosion worldwide, and as many as 74% of all people live under authoritarian regimes. As democracy is being challenged both from outside and within, democracy needs its defenders. The only way we can get results is through collaboration. There is increased co-operation of autocratic states, and democratic actors need to up their game urgently.
One of the key aspects of a functioning democracy is a free and vibrant civil society. It is important to recognise that civil society has always been a cornerstone of democratic resilience. Civil society organisations act as a bridge between institutions and democratic actors on the ground. They bring expertise, evidence, data, grassroots info and practical experience that are indispensable for designing effective policies.
Civic space is closing at a quick pace, and even across EU member states, there are growing pressures on civil society organisations. We are seeing a worrying trend: increasing demonisation and crackdowns on civil society by political actors. This not only undermines trust in the CSO sector but ultimately weakens democracy itself.
A shield to protect democracy
In 2025, the European Commission launched the Democracy Shield initiative, which is a roadmap for protecting democracy and electoral processes from foreign interference and information manipulation. At a time when democracy is being eroded both within the European Union and globally, this is a welcome initiative.
Civil society organisations bring expertise, evidence, data, grassroots info and practical experience that are indispensable for designing effective policies.
As a community of European democracy support practitioners, the European Partnership for Democracy, the EPD, has worked to mobilise a wide coalition of civil society organisations to constructively contribute to the development of the Democracy Shield. This early involvement led to meaningful improvements in the initiative, and we welcomed that collaboration. However, in the current implementation phase, civil society has not been included to the extent we had expected.
Together with other CSOs, the EPD has been trying to shape and support the Democracy Shield process. In January, we coordinated a broad civil society effort to contribute to the amendment procedure of the draft report in the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield. With over 1,600 amendments now on the table, we are closely following the process to ensure that civil society perspectives are reflected in the final compromise text.
A new hub for exchange and coordination
Meanwhile, an important milestone has been reached as the European Centre for Democratic Resilience started its work earlier this year. Its role is to bring together its members’ expertise and resources to increase collective capacity to anticipate, detect and respond to threats to our democracies, such as foreign information manipulation, interference and disinformation. The centre is a central commitment of the Democracy Shield, and its role will be key in coordinating efforts moving forward.
The centre has outlined its priorities for the first year. These include utilising citizens’ panels and launching a Stakeholder Platform. EPD and other CSOs will closely monitor these developments, especially the establishment of the Stakeholder Platform.
The creation of a Stakeholder Platform within the European Centre for Democratic Resilience is a promising step, but so far there has been little outreach to ensure that this platform is designed in a way that truly meets the stakeholders’ needs. This is a missed opportunity. Sidelining CSOs from the design, planning and implementation stage presents a potential risk.
Democracy defenders are needed
It is regularly stated that autocrats are giving up the international rules-based order, but in fact, they are not. Instead, they use the rules-based order selectively and try to change those international rules in their favour and paralyse the rules that do not fit into their autocratic playbooks.
A recent example is the autocratic takeover of the United Nations NGO Committee in April 2026. CIVICUS reports that states in the UN Economic and Social Council elected 19 new members of the NGO Committee almost entirely uncontested as only 20 states provided candidacy. The NGO Committee is the body that decides which CSOs receive a consultative status that gives them access to the UN system. According to CIVICUS, 13 of the 19 elected states have closed or repressed civic space. This means that the body that controls civil society’s access to the UN now remains dominated by states that are determined to keep it out. The current 19-member body includes countries such as China, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Cuba – countries not known for their thriving civic space.
Autocrats use the rules-based order selectively and try to change those international rules in their favour and paralyse the rules that do not fit into their autocratic playbooks.
The example of the UN NGO Committee highlights that democracy defenders need to be on high alert regarding developments in EU institutions as well. When designing and setting up the Stakeholder Platform and its civil society participants, it is of utmost importance to remain vigilant for potential autocratic interests when selecting CSO representatives. Meaningful civil society engagement is needed in setting up the European Centre for Democratic Resilience and its Stakeholder Platform in order to ensure a democratic playing field.
Of course, none of the work by CSOs can be done without funding. It is not only common sense but also an essential safeguard of our democracies to make sure that the EU’s upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework has sufficient funding for civil society. The trend of constantly decreasing civil society funding does not make much sense while we see democratic erosion and frequent calls from institutions for CSOs to support their work. CSOs cannot do this without adequate resources.
Defending democracy builds on collaboration
We are still calling for a clearer timeline for the implementation of the Democracy Shield. The current stakeholder consultations are limited in scope. Looking ahead, the European Parliament is still finalising its compromise amendments ahead of a vote expected in June. The parliament’s position has, overall, been more ambitious, but it remains unclear how its recommendations will be incorporated into the European Commission’s work.
It is not only common sense but also an essential safeguard of our democracies to make sure that the EU’s upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework has sufficient funding for civil society.
Democracy cannot be defended by institutions alone. It requires collaboration between governments, institutions and civil society. Civil society should be viewed as a strategic partner. The Democracy Shield and the European Centre for Democratic Resilience are important steps in the right direction, but the success of these initiatives will depend on how inclusive, ambitious and responsive they are in practice.
As autocrats tighten their ranks, democracies must also reform their practices and narratives and work together more closely. Civil society stands ready to contribute. The question is whether we will be fully included in shaping the path forward.
—
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Demo Finland.