A new set of indicators has been developed to monitor the environment in which civil society organisations operate across Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, and Italy. Drawing on the challenges highlighted within the Comparative Report and the Civic Champions Brochure, the indicators aim to capture the state of fundamental freedoms, the pressures faced by civil society, ongoing developments, and emerging threats. Particular attention is given to the experiences of individuals and groups targeted with physical, verbal, or digital attacks, including LGBTQ+ communities, migrants, and other marginalised groups.
Recent consultations in Cyprus, developed by CARDET, further informed the process, offering practical insights into how civil society data can be collected and presented more effectively. Participants stressed the need for clearer identification processes to ensure the credibility of survey responses and avoid distortions, noting that more detailed organisational information, such as official registration numbers, would strengthen the reliability of the dataset. They also highlighted the value of transparent participation figures, recommending that the total number of responding organisations be displayed once a minimum threshold is reached.
Suggestions emphasised user-friendly access to results, including the possibility for public institutions to view data without log-in requirements and the addition of filtering tools to explore specific issues, compare different groups, and assess the scale of incidents. Participants also recommended including an “Other” option in certain sections to allow for context-specific information not fully captured by the thematic categories.
To support longitudinal analysis, the briefings underscored the importance of incorporating previous years’ data. This would allow for year-to-year comparisons and the inclusion of questions focused on whether conditions had improved or deteriorated. It was also suggested that respondents be informed of the estimated completion time at the start of the questionnaire, improving clarity and user experience.
These contributions will help refine the emerging indicators, ensuring that they reflect real-world conditions while supporting evidence-based policymaking, stronger advocacy, and a more resilient civic space across the region.
Learn more about the Civic Champions Project here: https://cardet.org/civic-champions/
Target Groups
Professionals, Policy makers, General public, CSO'sEducation Level
Professional education
