Welcome to the second edition of the Civic Space in Europe survey. Civil Society Europe and CIVICUS arecollaborating to map out key trends on civic space in Europe. Our survey covers the European Union, the EuropeanEconomic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), Switzerland, and the countries candidate to EU accession (Albania,Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey).

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all people, everywhere in the world, have the right to speak out,to organise, and to take action. These rights – the freedoms of association, assembly and expression - give us thefreedom to form and join groups, peacefully protest, and advocate for the things we want – and to counter the things wedon’t. These freedoms are called `civic space’ and are an essential part of a vibrant democracy; where debate anddiscussion thrive, and where people are able to contribute to important decisions that affect them.

As a leading figure in civil society, we want your voice to be heard in this study. All responses will be confidential, will notbe shared with third parties and will be analysed as a collective dataset, in conformity with EU regulations on dataprotection. The survey data will be collected and analysed by Civil Society Europe only that operates under legislativerequirements for the protection of data in Belgium. For more information

As a follow up of our first survey in 2016, we want to assess how operating conditions for civil society have changed inEurope over the past 12 months. A better understanding of the trends will better equip us to work together by respondingcollectively to common challenges. Your participation ensures a diverse range of views is included and we guaranteethat the findings will be made freely available for your information and use.

The survey is in three parts. In the first, we ask for your opinions on civic space. The second part deals with support forcivil society in Europe. In the third part, we ask for your views on the health of democracy in Europe. Finally, we asksome questions about you and your organisation. Please provide answers that are relevant to the country of operation ofyour organisation. The survey includes 31 questions and should not take more than 15 minutes. You can download thefull survey at the bottom of this page. If you have any problems answering, please write to:contact@civilsocietyeurope.eu

The survey runs until end of April 2017

Civil Society Europe (CSE) brings together more than 30 European networks of civil society organisations (CSOs)working towards dialogue on European policy around the shared values of Equality, Solidarity, Inclusiveness andDemocracy. Our main objectives: to facilitate and enable horizontal and vertical dialogue between European civil societyorganisations and policy-makers; and to help strengthen CSOs in their activities and relations with the institutions. Formore information about Civil Society Europe, click here. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation isdedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world, especially in areas where participatorydemocracy and citizens’ fundamental freedoms are threatened. For more information about CIVICUS, click here.

Welcome to Civic Space in Europe Survey

Civic Space in Europe Survey

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In this section, we will ask you some questions about civic space in your country of operation. Please only answer inreference to the country that you selected earlier. Remember, healthy civic space implies that civil society and citizensare able to organise, participate and communicate without hindrance, and in doing so, influence the social and politicalstructures around them.

Civic Space in Europe

Civic Space in Europe Survey

1. Please select the country where your organisation operates*

2. How would you rate the conditions for civil society in your country*

Conditions are extremely poor

conditions are poor

Conditions are average

conditions are good

conditions are very good

3. Do you think that the conditions for civil society have gotten better or worse in your country

over the last year

*

Things have strongly deteriorated

Things have deteriorated

Things have stayed the same

things have improved

things have strongly improved

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Extremely Poor Poor Average Good Very Good

the freedom ofassociation (The right tofreely associate, join orestablish a civil societyorganisation or group)

The freedom ofassembly (the right toexercise legitimatedissent through peacefulforms of protest as wellas organize meetingsand hold demonstrationsto forward matters ofcommon interest andprotection in theseactivities from undueinfluence)

The freedom ofexpression (The right tohold opinions withoutinterference and to seek,receive and impartinformation and ideasthrough any media andregardless of frontiers)

The State’s duty toprotect (theability/willingness of thestate to investigateabuses against the civilsociety sector)

Financial Support forCivil Society

4. How would you rate the situation in your country in the following areas*

5. Please help us understand your answers above, citing examples of measures, legislation

taken by institutions or government

Conditions areextremely bad Conditions are bad

Conditions areaverage Conditions are good

Conditions areextremely good

Local

National

European

6. How would you rate civic space, or the conditions for civil society and citizen action at the

following levels?

*

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7. Please help us understand why you selected the answers above:

8. Can you please give examples of measures that have had either a positive impact on

increasing equality of access to civic space, or measures that have created inequality? The

examples might be regarding gender, race, ethnic origin, religion, belief, disability, age, sexual

orientation or other ways people can be regarded as different or face discrimination

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II. Support for civil society in Europe

Civic Space in Europe Survey

9. Do you think that cooperation at European level is important for the effective operations of CSOs?*

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither agree or disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

10. Given your reading of current trends, do you think CSOs like yours will gather more public

support (a base in the society, critical mass and strong constituencies), in your country over the

coming year?

*

Support will drastically decrease

Support will decrease

Support will stay the same

support will increase

support will drastically increase

11. Please help us understand your answers above:

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In this section, we will ask you some questions about the trends in European politics. This section refers directly to thehealth of democracy in Europe. Please answer the following questions in reference to the country in which yourorganisation operates.

III. Health of Democracy in Europe

Civic Space in Europe Survey

12. In your opinion, how well are democratic principles upheld in your country of operation?

(these principles are enshrined in your country’s Constitution or bill of rights . Key principles are equality of all citizens before the

law, having equal access to legislative processes, protection of human rights, accountability and transparency of government,

respect of the rule of law: law is equally, fairly and consistently enforced)

*

Democratic principles are strongly disregarded

Democratic principles are disregarded

Democratic principles are somewhat upheld

Democratic principles are upheld

Democratic principles are strongly upheld

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1 2 3 4 5

Surveillance of yourorganisation

Heavy handed policingduring protests

Restrictions on the rightsof peaceful assembly

Restriction on freespeech

Lack of adequateconsultation processesby the public sector

Funding restrictions oncivil society

Threat of violence fromnon State Actors

Security/counter-terrorism/moneylaundering legislationstifling the operation ofcivil society

Introduction ofrestrictions tocampaigning throughcontract conditionality

access to bankingservices

smear campaigns in themedia or by government

13. What of the following issues is your organisation most concerned about? (Please rank in

order of priority, with number 1 being the most important)

*

14. Please help us understand your answers above, or please tell us about any other issues you are

worried about

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It has becomesignificantly more

difficultIt has become more

difficultthings have stayed

the same It has become easierIt has become much

easier

Access GovernmentInformation

Expose and identifycorruption

Act as whistleblowers

15. Over the past twelve months, has it become easier or harder for civil society and citizens

to:

*

16. Please help us understand why you selected the answer above

17. Given recent events in Europe (such as the refugee crisis), do you think that nationalism

and discrimination against immigrants/nationals of foreign origin or ethnic minorities are

gathering traction in your country of operation?

*

Polarisation is very much increasing

Polarisation is increasing

Things have stayed the same

polarisation is decreasing

polarisation is strongly decreasing

18. Do you think enough is being done by your government to support independent civil

society in its promotion of democratic values and universal human rights in your country of

operation?

*

Too little is being done to support independent civil society

Not enough is being done to support independent civil society

Neither agree or disagree

independent civil society is receiving support

independent civil society is receiving a lot of support

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19. Do you think the EU institutions are taking appropriate action to guarantee civic space in

your country of operation?

*

The EU is not active in defending civic space

The EU is not doing enough to defend civic space

The EU is being somewhat effective in defending civic space

The EU is taking action to defend civic space

The EU is very proactive in defending civic space

20. Please help us understand why you selected the answers above:

21. Please add suggestions on what your government or EU institutions could do better to

enable civic space

22. Do you have any other comments, questions, or concerns?

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Please tell us some information about yourself and your organisation. We will not pass this information onto anyoneelse. We might use your email to contact you for a follow up on your answers or on specific issues and to send you the resultsof the survey.

Background Information

Civic Space in Europe Survey

Your Name

Your Surname

The name of yourorganisation

The website of yourorganisation

contact e-mail

23. contact details*

24. Which of the following describes your organisation?*

NGO

Cooperative

Foundation

Research body

Education body

Cultural body

Professional Association/Union

Other

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25. What is your organisation's geographic reach?

Local

National

European

International

26. How would you describe the work that your organisation does?

Advocacy

Research/policy

Fundraising and communication

Civic participation/volunterism

Civil Society Strengthening and Support

Democracy/transparency/accountability

Human rights

Gender/Vulnerable Groups/Minorities

Children/youth

Protection of refugees/migrants

Social Justice

Environment/Climate Change

Health

Education/skills

Culture

Media (including alternative and community)

International and economic development

27. What is the turnover of your organisation? (In Euros)

Up to 80.000 €

Between 80.001 and 250.000 €

Between 250.001 and 500.000 €

Between 500.001 and 1.000.000 €

Between 1.000.001 and 3.500.000 €

Between 3.500.001 and 5.000.000 €

Above 5,000,001€

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Thank you for participating in the survey!

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