Civil Society, Civic Space & Democracy

Civic space refers to the conditions that allow civil society to operate freely, safely and effectively, enabling people and organizations to participate in public life, hold governments accountable and advance inclusive development.

Across many contexts, civic space is increasingly under pressure—from legal restrictions to threats against activists and organizations. Protecting and expanding these spaces is essential to ensuring that communities can shape the decisions that affect their lives.

Cooperation Canada works to protect and expand civic space in Canada and globally by advancing policy change, strengthening sector voice and supporting members to respond to emerging threats.

Through coordination, advocacy and global engagement, we help ensure that Canadian policies and international priorities reflect the importance of open, inclusive and rights-based civic space. We connect members with partners and platforms to respond collectively to challenges and to strengthen democratic resilience.

Our work supports civil society actors—especially those in closed and closing contexts—by amplifying their voices, fostering solidarity and promoting systems that enable safe and meaningful participation.

What We Work On

Our civil society and civic space work spans policy engagement, sector coordination and global solidarity.

Shaping Canadian civil society and charitable sector policies and funding

including through the the Civil Society Policy Advisory Group and Imagine Canada’s Fair Funding initiative

Connecting and coordinating Canadian and global partners

through initiatives such as the Ottawa Civic Space Summit

Advancing global civic space by collaborating with international partners

promoting shared norms, contributing to global dialogue and standing in solidarity with others

Strengthening civic space and democratic resilience by supporting initiatives

like Resilient Societies

Why It’s Important

Strong civic space is not an abstract principle—it is the foundation on which effective international cooperation is built.

A strong Canadian civil society sector depends on open civic space

enabling organizations to operate freely, advocate effectively and contribute to public policy and international cooperation
Canada’s global leadership on human rights is shaped by its support for civic space

including how it protects and partners with civil society actors in restrictive environments
Protecting civic space strengthens democratic resilience

ensuring that diverse voices—especially from marginalized and high-risk contexts—can safely influence decisions and drive inclusive development