Skip to main content
Accessibility
Freedom House Logo - Torch next to words Freedom House

Primary Navigation

  • Our Issues
  • Countries
  • Policy Recommendations
  • Explore the Map
Expanding Freedom and Democracy.

Quicklinks

  • Events
  • News & Perspectives
  • Find A Country
  • Explore The Map
  • Careers

Mega Menu

  • Our Issues
    • Authoritarian Reach
    • Technology & Democracy
    • Democracies in Decline
    • Democracy During Pandemic
    • Election Integrity
    • Equality & Human Rights
    • Freedom of Assembly
    • Freedom of Expression
    • Government Accountability & Transparency
    • Media Freedom
    • Promoting U.S. Leadership
    • Religious Freedom
    • Strengthening Civil Society
  • Programs
    • Regional Programs
    • Emergency Assistance and Thematic Programs
  • Countries
  • Policy Recommendations
  • Reports
    • Freedom in the World
    • Freedom on the Net
    • Nations in Transit
    • China Media Bulletin
    • Election Watch for the Digital Age
    • Transnational Repression
    • Special Reports
    • Archives
  • News & Perspectives
    • Press Releases & Statements
    • Manage Subscriptions
    • Explore Newsletters
  • About Us
    • History
    • Our Experts
    • Events
    • Board and Leadership
    • Ways to Give
    • Financials
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
Hundreds of protesters with signs and flags in front of a capital building.
Association of Nigerians protest with locals against Boko Haram actions that claimed responsibility for abducting over 200 girls from a school in Chibok, Nigeria. Spain, 2014. Editorial credit: rSnapshotPhotos / Shutterstock.com.

Strengthening Civil Society

When governments fail to act in the public interest, and opposition parties are unwilling or unable to offer a credible alternative, it is up to civil society organizations to identify abuses and advocate for reforms. Freedom House works around the world to provide local civic groups with the tools they need to advance democratic governance in their own countries.

In collaboration with dozens of partner organizations around the world, Freedom House supports the initiatives of local groups to counteract restrictions and protect space for civil society. We also lead the Lifeline consortium of seven international organizations that provides emergency assistance to civil society organizations under threat or attack and advocacy support to respond to broader threats to civil society. To learn more about Freedom House programs, supporting civil society please visit our Regional Programs page. If you would like to interview a Freedom House expert on this topic, please email [email protected].

Freedom Under Threat Africa Anti-NGO Zimbabwe Photo

Understanding Anti-Civil Society Measures in Africa

Over the last 15 years, 11 African countries have adopted legislation or policies that improperly constrained nongovernmental organizations. These laws and policies seek to impose state control over civil society, particularly NGOs that work on human rights and governance issues.

Learn More

Featured Analysis:

advancing rights of indigenous peoples in sourthern africa

COVID-19 & the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Southern Africa

Special Report

lifeline advocacy protest

Advocacy in Restricted Spaces: A Toolkit for Civil Society

Special Report

Civil activists demonstrate in Nairobi outside parliament buildings over two recent parliamentary bills they say will curb hard-won freedoms and muzzle government critics. Credit: TONY KARUMBA/AFP/Getty Images.

The Spread of Anti-NGO Measures in Africa: Freedoms Under Threat

Special Report

Featured Freedom House Programs:

Azerbaijan protesters and police

Lifeline Emergency Assistance Program

Freedom House administers several funds which offer emergency assistance to organizations and individuals around the world who are under threat because of their human rights work.

Reporters hold banners as they attend a demonstration march for press freedom. Yangon, Myanmar. 7 January 2014.  Editorial credit: Ye Aung Thu/AFP via Getty Images

Our Work in Myanmar

Currently, Freedom House is supporting the efforts of civil society groups and networks to increase public participation in and advocacy on constitutional and legislative reform in Myanmar. 

Tanzania protest civil society

Our Work in Tanzania

Freedom House’s Data Driven Advocacy program works to build the ability of Tanzanian civil society to advocate for, and influence policy on, key national-level human rights issues using better data and information to drive results. 

Freedom House in the Media:

the economist logo

Which is The Economist’s country of the year? opens in new tab

December 19, 2020

the american interest logo

The Pandemic and a Free Press opens in new tab

April 21, 2020

CNN logo

South Korea is holding an election during the coronavirus crisis. Other countries are postponing theirs. Either way, democracy may suffer opens in new tab

April 15, 2020

News & Perspectives:

Ethiopian blogger civil society leader Befekadu Hailu

From Blogger to Civil Society Leader: Ethiopia’s Befekadu Hailu

Perspectives

February 23, 2021

Façade with poster of President Yoweri Museveni - outside Kisoro - Southwestern Uganda

Uganda: Suspension of Democratic Governance Facility Highlights Growing Concerns

Press release

February 4, 2021

Kazakhstan President Tokayev NGO Law

Kazakhstan: Government Suspends Key Human Rights Organizations

Press release

January 27, 2021

Hong Kong Police in riot gear arrests

Hong Kong: Freedom House Condemns Mass Arrest of Prodemocracy Activists, Politicians

Press release

January 6, 2021

Freedom House

Standing in Solidary with the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights

Joint statement

November 19, 2020

Protests against police brutality in Nigeria

Nigeria: Freedom House Condemns Attacks on Peaceful Protesters

Press release

October 21, 2020

Featured Experts

Jon Temin Expert Photo

Jon Temin

Director, Africa Programs

JonTemin

Mindy Michels

Director, Emergency Assistance Programs

Be the first to know what's happening.

Join the Freedom House monthly newsletter

Footer Main Menu

  • Our Issues
  • Countries
  • Policy Recommendations
  • Explore the Map
  • Donate
  • News & Perspectives
  • Reports
  • Events
  • About
  • Careers

Address

1850 M St. NW Floor 11
Washington, DC 20036

(202) 296-5101

General Inquiries

[email protected]

Press & Media

[email protected]

Footer Social Menu

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Footer

  • Manage Subscriptions
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Content Permissions
  • Site Map
@2021 FreedomHouse