Reclaiming Civic Space for Climate Mitigation: a primer for donors

RECLAIMING CIVIC SPACE FOR CLIMATE MITIGATION: A PRIMER FOR DONORS

Donor briefing from the Funders Initiative for Civil Society set out how shrinking civic space is undermining effective climate action, sharing the strategies donors are using to counter this trend, and highlighting some of the excellent work being done by civil society across the globe.

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions – through transition to clean and renewable energy, preservation of forests, transformation of our food and agriculture systems, and other strategies – relies on our broad rights to influence policy and practice by speaking, participating, and organising freely. Without the space to advocate and operate, progress on climate goals stalls or reverses, making shrinking civic space a fundamental issue for all working toward a safe, healthy climate.

Shifting the Momentum: Reclaiming Civic Space for Climate Mitigation draws on FICS’ decade of expertise on both the manifestations of shrinking civic space and its drivers; conversations with climate donors from private philanthropy and intermediary funds, climate groups working at the international, national, and local levels; and desk research.

Learn more: https://www.fundersinitiativeforcivilsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Shifting-the-Momentum_Reclaiming-Civic-Space-for-Climate-Mitigation.pdf