This report begins with a definition of the key concept of this report – civil society – and proceeds with a discussion of civil society’s role in a democratic society, reviewing the functions of civil society in a democracy. The second section discusses the report’s methodology. The third and fourth sections present evidence about best practice in how the member states of the Community of Democracies Governing Council protect and engage civil society. The report concludes with summary reflections as well as recommendations on what states can do to protect civil society space.
