Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news and publications.
| CARVIEW |
Select Language
HTTP/2 200
date: Sun, 28 Dec 2025 03:03:42 GMT
content-type: text/html; charset=UTF-8
alt-svc: h3=":443"; ma=86400
cache-control: must-revalidate, no-cache, private
report-to: {"group":"cf-nel","max_age":604800,"endpoints":[{"url":"https://a.nel.cloudflare.com/report/v4?s=k07V7AGf6YigUBFe5PAEbtuITeEgGlAQOw2Cv3QImrD%2B%2Fx3OstHtUfN7Yn6HjfPHojKw%2B6UNMmguVf%2Bc1X%2FL2M4CuhKY2USl"}]}
content-language: en
expires: Sun, 19 Nov 1978 05:00:00 GMT
vary: Accept-Encoding
via: 0.0 Caddy
x-content-type-options: nosniff
x-frame-options: SAMEORIGIN
cf-cache-status: DYNAMIC
nel: {"report_to":"cf-nel","success_fraction":0.0,"max_age":604800}
content-encoding: gzip
server: cloudflare
cf-ray: 9b4dd3729fc5418d-BOM
Home | ECNL
Skip to main content
We are experts on civil society law and policy. We co-develop locally-led responses with the goal to protect civic freedoms. We create knowledge, build networks and strengthen legal protections. ECNL is analytical, forward-looking and innovative.
Highlighted
ECNL Learning Center
Learn more about critical aspects that affect civic space.
CSO Meter
Assess and advocate for an improved civil society environment in the Eastern Partnership countries.
Strategic guide for CSOs on the move
Explore scenarios, strategic advice and resources for CSOs that face growing restrictions in their home countries and consider hybrid modes of operations.
Focus areas
We are deeply commited to empowering civil society through creating enabling legal and policy frameworks. Explore our focus areas!
Protests and Assemblies
Image
Participation
Image
Funding and Philanthropy
Image
UN Standards
Image
European policies
Image
Action for Civic Space
Image
Monitoring Civic Spaces
Image
Climate Action
Image
News & Research
What's the latest in the field of civil society law and policy? Read our news and learn more about our analytical and research work!
Latest
View allA Guide to Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments (FRIA)
Developed by ECNL and DIHR, this new guide lays out a clear roadmap for putting FRIAs into practice meaningfully, as strategic tools for responsible AI use.
Research
A framework for AI systems that truly serve the communities they affect: ECNL's Framework for Meaningful Engagement
Here is a quick overview of the key elements of the updated FME 2.0, a tool to distinguish deep, substantive engagement from superficial consultation.
News
Amsterdam's journey in participatory AI development
Case study on how the municipality, technical team and citizens worked together to develop responsible AI that genuinely serves public interest, piloting ECNL's Framework for Meaningful Engagement while doing so.
News
Innovation thrives when rights come first: ECNL submission to UK parliamentary inquiry on AI
Closing regulatory gaps in AI is key to protecting the rights of individuals and communities it affects.
News
Handbook on seven global digital governance processes
New explainer for civil society organisations on how they can navigate processes that shape our digital future and human rights.
Research
How to make AI safe for democracy?
Read the key takeaways from our recent webinar, where we brought together experts from different sectors to explore how technology can be used responsibly and with respect for fundamental rights.
News
From promise to practice: ECNL reflections on the EU's Civil Society Strategy
How do we move the Strategy’s commitments from paper to real action? This blog points to the priorities and offers our experience to support implementation.
News
Practical guidance on engaging with internet standardisation and governance bodies
This new resource walks you through the key entry points to the bodies that set the technical and policy rules governing how the internet works.
Research
How does digital and AI-driven surveillance impact assembly and association rights?
Read ECNL submission to UN Special Rapporteur HRC62 Thematic Report.
News
Impact stories
Here is a look at some of the stories we are most proud of from the past.
Highlighted Stories
View allECNL Portals
ECNL maintains several different websites, each with essential information but different civic space focus . Created with partners, these portals provide knowledge on the core civic freedoms of association, assembly and participation to support CSOs and civic groups open and defend their own spaces. Click here for for our learning center and a collection of websites to navigate the nonprofit laws around the world, assess civil society environment in the Eastern Partnership countries or track government responses to the pandemic that affect civic freedoms.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Civic space portals
Explore our diverse websites!
E-tools
Through research and analysis we provide digital tools on various civic space issues. Explore our online resources for accessible information on assembly rights in the digital space, nonprofit banking, international standards that protect climate activists and more!
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Online resources on the ECNL website
Use these tools to analyse trends and advocate for better policies, laws and practices that affect civil society.
About us
ECNL is an independent and established European leader on law and policy that affect civil society. We create knowledge, empower partners and help set global and regional standards that create, protect and expand civic freedoms. We rely on our 20+ years of expertise to respond to trends with relevance, creativity and innovation. Get to know us!
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
This is us over the years
Get to know the people working to address critical civic space needs!
Contact
Use the form below to drop us an email and we will get in touch shortly!