PDP3: Strengthening the resilience of civil society in Slovakia

The project addresses the increasingly challenging environment for civil society in Slovakia. Rising political polarization, declining public trust in institutions, and systematic questioning of NGO legitimacy have restricted civic space, weakened advocacy capacities, and hindered coordinated responses across the sector. Civil society organizations face growing difficulties in mobilizing resources, communicating their societal role, and sustaining long-term impact. These challenges are further exacerbated by populist narratives, negative media framing, inconsistent policy support, and limited opportunities for meaningful participation in decision-making. In response, the project promotes strategic cooperation and structured dialogue among key civil society actors, including NGOs, networks, and advocacy groups. Through sectoral meetings and expert panels organized within two nationwide conferences, participating organizations will jointly analyse emerging trends, exchange experiences, and develop strategic responses to identified risks. These activities will strengthen mutual understanding, help establish shared priorities, and facilitate coordinated action to safeguard democratic space and enhance the effectiveness of civil society interventions. The project also focuses on long-term resilience by establishing mechanisms for ongoing consultation, peer learning, and coordinated advocacy. This collaborative framework will strengthen the sector’s ability to respond collectively to threats, mobilize citizens, and influence participatory governance. Participants will share good practices, reflect on lessons learned from recent challenges, and identify opportunities to improve coordination across the sector. The outcomes of these discussions will inform future cooperation and provide a foundation for more effective engagement with public authorities.

The project aims to strengthen the capacity, resilience, and strategic coordination of civil society in Slovakia, enabling organizations to respond more effectively to challenges affecting democratic space, foster cross-sector collaboration, and collectively reflect on emerging risks and opportunities. It combines evidence-based analysis with structured dialogue to support coordinated and impactful action. A key activity is the preparation of a comprehensive three-part analytical study examining public and political narratives, structural challenges related to advocacy and policy influence, and risks to democracy and civic space. The study will provide actionable recommendations to inform strategic planning and decision-making. Two nationwide conferences will serve as platforms for sector-wide dialogue and cooperation. The first conference, scheduled for February 2027, will reflect on previous developments, identify factors contributing to resilience, validate preliminary findings, and facilitate the development of shared priorities. The second conference, planned for March 2028, will present the final study findings, explore strategic responses to identified risks, and support the coordination of sectoral priorities to strengthen the collective capacity to protect democratic space. Expected outputs include the analytical study, summaries of conference discussions highlighting shared priorities, strengthened networks and dialogue among civil society organizations, and increased awareness of risks and opportunities to support strategic planning and coordinated action. By connecting research findings with sector-wide discussions, the project will ensure that its outputs are practical and actionable, contributing to informed decision-making and the long-term sustainability of civil society initiatives in Slovakia. The activities will also establish a knowledge base for future projects and policy initiatives, while encouraging continued peer learning and collaboration. Over time, stronger networks and shared practices will enable civil society organizations to respond more promptly to emerging challenges and coordinate joint initiatives more effectively.

The project seeks to strengthen the capacity, resilience, and strategic coordination of civil society in Slovakia, generating tangible results that benefit both the sector and the broader democratic environment. Its main results will include a comprehensive three-part analytical study mapping public and political narratives, structural challenges, and risks affecting civil society, accompanied by actionable recommendations to support strategic planning and decision-making. Two nationwide conferences will provide opportunities for joint reflection, dialogue, and the development of shared sectoral priorities, contributing to stronger networks, mutual understanding, and more coordinated approaches among civil society organizations. These activities are expected to improve the sector’s ability to anticipate and respond to pressures, identify opportunities for cooperation, and implement coordinated strategies to safeguard democratic space. Wider dissemination of the findings will enhance awareness, knowledge sharing, and alignment of practices, enabling organizations to learn from one another and improve the effectiveness of their initiatives. The primary beneficiaries will be civil society organizations, networks, and advocacy groups operating in Slovakia, which will benefit from strengthened capacities, improved sectoral coordination, and clearer guidance for strategic action. Secondary beneficiaries will include public authorities, policymakers, and donors, who will gain a better understanding of the sector’s challenges and opportunities for constructive engagement. Citizens will benefit indirectly from a more resilient, coordinated, and effective civil society that contributes to accountable governance, participatory decision-making, and the preservation of open democratic space. In the longer term, these results are expected to support civic engagement and improve the quality of public policy.