COMMENT: Amid shrinking civic space, will the EBRD still uphold its democratic mandate?

COMMENT: Amid shrinking civic space, will the EBRD still uphold its democratic mandate?

As the global Democracy Index recorded a historic low in 2024, institutions tasked with upholding democratic values are under increasing pressure to adapt.

Shrinking spaces in Germany – a country undergoing change

Martin Georgi, chair of the German Fundraising Association, discusses the country’s recent shift in attitude and its impact, as well as the resilience of German civil society, despite a gradual shrinking of civic space. Germany has developed a vibrant and active civil society and sees itself as a promoter of democracy and civil rights at home and abroad. This is rooted in a strong post-WWII consensus on the horrors of fascism, the value of an op…