ECNL

From Georgia to Serbia, Surveillance is Being Weaponised Against Dissent As they veer from the path of European Union integration, governments in Georgia and Serbia have both wielded invasive surveillance technology against pro-democracy protesters.

💡 New report by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network BIRN on how invasive #surveillance technology is used against pro-democracy protesters in #Serbia #Georgia:

balkaninsight.com/2026/01/28/f...

Join ECNL's Supervisory Council! DDL: 10 Feb 2026

🌟 Join us in shaping the next chapter of ECNL's journey! 🌟

We’re looking for dedicated and forward-thinking individuals to 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥.

If you share our vision, send us an Expression of Interest before 𝟏𝟎 𝐅𝐞𝐛 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

Find all details here: ecnl.org/openings

CADE’s December newsletter is out!

Highlights from 2025 include:
📍 Civil society using the UN UPR to track digital rights commitments
📍 New resources to help CSOs engage in digital policy & technical spaces
📍 Youth Voices for Digital Rights creative action
AND MORE!

🔗 mailchi.mp/diplomacy/ca...

ECNL newsletter

💫 Look back at 2025 w/ our newsletter, bringing you:
🟢practical resources and tools you can put into practice, like the new guide on how to do innovation right with #FRIAs;
🔵 research to inform your work on #democracy, #AI, #foresight ... & much more.

Sign up for 2026: mailchi.mp/ecnl/2025-in...

What Ireland’s Data Center Crisis Means for the EU’s AI Sovereignty Plans | TechPolicy.Press Louis Boyd-Madsen traces how a model of unregulated digital growth has outpaced energy planning in Ireland, and why it matters for the EU’s AI ambitions.

Ireland has one of the world's highest concentrations of data centers. The expansion has reshaped the grid & deepened fossil fuel use. As the EU pushes to triple data center capacity, Ireland offers a warning. Read our investigation with AlgorithmWatch.

Title slide reading “Making institutions listen despite institutional inaction.” Presented at the CSO Meter Hub Virtual Learning and Conversation Sessions on 16 December 2025. The slide shows the Progress & Change Partnerships logo and names Florian Irminger as President.

Presentation slide titled “Problem statement: Institutional inaction.” The slide lists internal fractures within the EU, Council of Europe, OSCE and United Nations, and notes a lack of political courage from institutional leadership. It includes references to Azerbaijan and Georgia, a quote by Martin Griffiths calling on the UN to recover its courage, and a QR code linking to Human Rights Compass recommendations.

Slide titled “Fractured Order: Relevance for civil society.” The slide explains how internal institutional challenges affect expectations and strategies for civil society, and highlights a growing role in holding institutions accountable. Images of two reports on Azerbaijan’s human rights situation are displayed on the right.

Slide titled “Attention to Belarus: Long haul.” The slide presents a timeline from 2010 to 2021 showing sustained civil society and UN engagement on Belarus, including Human Rights Council resolutions, the appointment of a UN Special Rapporteur and the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry. The slide includes photos related to civil society work in Vilnius and documentation of UN non-cooperation by Belarus.

Great exchange with @ecnl.bsky.social colleagues on how civil society can hold international organisations accountable and advance human rights.

Belarus reminds us that this is a long haul (I remember the Jan 2011 civil society meeting well) 🤍❤️🤍

Cover for publication titled "A Guide to Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments (FRIA) under the EU AI Act", DIHR and ECNL logo

🚀 New: Guide to Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments 🚀

How can #FRIAs be conducted meaningfully & in line with the #AIAct?

👉 Here's a clear roadmap from ECNL & DIHR for deployers of high-risk AI systems - and anyone seeking to deploy AI responsibly - to do so.

🔗 ecnl.org/publications...

banner for webinar by the Civic Journalism Coalition, Lighthouse Reports, EDRI, ECNL logos

📢 How can journalists and civil society work together? What are the best practices for effective collaboration?

🔵 Join this Civic Journalism Coalition Webinar TODAY with ECNL, @disclose.ngo, @lighthousereports.com and EDRI:
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Amsterdam's journey in participatory AI development, circular yellow elements and also a white blue circle as well as an icon with a group of people

🫶 Responsible #AI works best when people collaborate.

In #Amsterdam, the municipality, technical team and citizens co-created an AI system using ECNL’s Framework for Meaningful Engagement: putting public interest and trust at the centre.

Find out more here: ecnl.org/news/amsterd...

We are searching for an editor/proofreader. for the monitoring action for civic space project. Apply by 8 December 2025. Link in the post.

❗ Experienced editor/proofreader (5+ yrs reviewing analytical reports, civic freedoms terminology) wanted for the Monitoring Action for Civic Space (#MACS) project.

📖 You will review 7 country reports to ensure clarity, consistency & accuracy.

Apply by 8 December: ecnl.org/job-openings
#Hiring

New Case Study, Participatory Democracy in Action, Group of people in black and white in a circle in a discussion. Watercolor pattern in the back.

🌍🇳🇱 How can people in the Netherlands eat, consume goods, and travel more sustainably? Today, the Dutch National #CitizensAssembly on #Climate presents its answers to this question.

💡 Read more on the power of involving people in the decisions that shape their lives: ecnl.org/news/citizen...

colourful circles against the backdrop of a crowd

💡NEW blog: How do we move the commitments of the #EUCivilSocietyStrategy from paper to real action?

👉 Read our reflections:
ecnl.org/news/promise...

#EUCivicSpace #Democracy #Participation

Civil Society Is At Risk—and Tech Is Part Of The Problem | TechPolicy.Press The time for urgent, rights-based innovation in the aid and tech ecosystems is now, writes Gina Romero.

🚨 ALERT: Tech is a DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD for Civil Society.
​
​Read my new article on the role of tech in the decline of civic freedoms via @techpolicypress.bsky.social

www.techpolicy.press/civil-societ...

⏰New GDRC–WSIS statement on the WSIS+20 Outcome Document.
👉 Key asks:
• Safeguards against intrusive, rights-violating technologies
• Protection of encryption, anonymity tools, and free expression
• Attention to AI’s environmental and human rights impacts
www.gp-digital.org/news/gdrc-ws...

Interesting new study on the CoE Framework Convention on #AI 👇

banner for an event titled "See you in court? Turning investigations into legal impact - and fighting SLAPPs", with ECNL, EDRI, Lighthouse Reports logo

📢 See you in court? Join us for a new Civic Journalism Coalition Webinar on 27 Nov. 📢

🤔 Are you a journalist or work for a civil society org? Are you interested in how to use journalistic evidence in litigation? And how to defend yourself against #SLAPPs?

➡️ us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Blueprint for rights-centered AI in public participation. ECNL and EU co-funding logo. Concrete recommendations for public institutions and AI developers on how to design and use AI tools to stregthen trust in democratic processes. Black and white skyscrapers, a graph with dots and idea bulb. A young woman looking at the graph.

Our new step-by-step guide walks you through concrete process recommendations for public institutions and private providers designing or using AI tools for public participation.
⏩ Find out more here: ecnl.org/news/bluepri...
Interested in piloting this tool? Get in touch: info@ecnl.org.

🙏 With gratitude to @hilarysutcliffe.bsky.social, @discord.com, @b-cavello.bsky.social, @linds-anders.bsky.social, and many others not on this platform for their support.

Framework for Meaningful Engagement 2.0, ECNL and SocietyInside logos

🚀 Out now: Framework for Meaningful Engagement 2.0

Civil society & affected communities must be part of #AI development to ensure that platforms & developers create rights-based products.

The #FME 2.0 provides practical suggestions on how to do this: ecnl.org/publications...

#ResponsibleAI

Capacity Development Programme for CSOs 2025–2026 - CADE – Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment Empowering civil society to shape digital policy The Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) is strengthening the ability of civil society organisations (CSOs) – especially those from t...

✨ Make your voice stronger in shaping #DigitalPolicy!

✍ Apply to a new #CADE training to help you build policy expertise and diplomatic skills!

📅 Ddl: 30 Nov 2025
➡️ Apply now: cadeproject.org/in-focus/cap...

Children's Activism Your response would be greatly appreciated.

👋 Are you btw 13 and 17? Do you consider yourself an activist? @amnesty.org wants to hear from YOU! 💬

Amnesty collects stories from young people who’ve taken action - online or offline. Whether it’s for climate, equality or any other cause, your voice matters.

📲 survey.zohopublic.eu/zs/ZHEFrJ

Environmental rights defenders often put their lives on the line to defend their territories. The Leaders Network for Environmental Activists and Defenders (LEAD) brings governments, defenders, civil… Leaders Network for Environmental Activists and Defenders #LEAD

🚀 Officially launching LEAD today at #COP30! #LEADwithUs 🌎💚

Join a growing community of defenders, civil society, philanthropy, LEAD champions, and over 100k citizens globally! Let's elevate the voices of environmental human rights defenders in #ClimateAction.

📽️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXSF...

The EU must uphold hard-won protections for digital human rights Over 120 civil society organisations, trade unions and defenders urge the EU to halt its planned Digital Omnibus proposals that are part of a broader deregulation agenda.

⚠️ The EU must uphold hard-won protections for #digital #HumanRights!

🚨 120+ orgs, unions and defenders urge the EU to halt its planned #DigitalOmnibus proposals - the biggest rollback of digital fundamental rights in EU history.

🇪🇺 Read the open letter:
ecnl.org/news/eu-must...

As #COP30 begins, a silent war unfolds in courtrooms. Corporations are weaponising the law to silence #ClimateDefenders through #SLAPPs.

🔗 Read on @ipsnews.net : www.ipsnews.net/2025/11/sile...

#ClimateJustice #CivicSpace #SLAPPs #COP30

@icnl.bsky.social @clubdemadrid.bsky.social @business-humanrights.org @globalwitness.org @globaltfokus.bsky.social @worldresources.bsky.social

banner for event titled ""Advancing Climate Justice through Multisectoral Action: the LEAD Initiative

🌎💚 Co-design LEAD’s next phase of work! #LEADwithUs at #COP30 in Belém.

Join today's strategy meeting of LEAD at 15:00

✏️ Register here to attend: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

👉 Find out more about the LEAD: lead-initiative.com

@icnl.bsky.social @clubdemadrid.bsky.social @business-humanrights.org @globalwitness.org

Invitation to an event titled "Reception: Launching the LEAD Initiative"

🌎💚Are you at #COP30? #LEADwithUs

❇️ Join us today at 16:30 for a reception celebrating LEAD, a global initiative that elevates the voices of environmental human rights defenders in #ClimateAction.

📍 Grassroots Movement for Climate Venue, no registration needed.
👉 lead-initiative.com

🆕 ICNL’s Civic Freedom Monitor has a new look and enhanced functionality!

⏭️ With a more interactive interface and coverage of 50+ countries, it’s easier than ever to explore global trends in civic space laws and policies.

Explore more: icnl.org/cfm

#CivicFreedom #CivicSpace

During this interactive webinar on AI and democracy, researchers, policymakers, and democracy experts explored both the risks and opportunities that AI presents for democratic systems and public… How to make AI safe for democracy? - AI & Democracy Webinar

📹 Missed our webinar on #AI & #Democracy?

➡️ Don't worry, you can watch the full recording here:
youtu.be/a9aJHBdrVOY