Three questions for... Dr. Siri Hummel

Dr. Siri Hummel, Director of the Maecenata Institute

Ms. Hummel, as we take a look at the state of civil society in countries across Europe, one thing becomes clear: the space for civic engagement, participation, and diversity is changing dramatically. It is often becoming more difficult – even dangerous – to stand up for human rights, freedom, and democracy. Your research institute closely monitors these spaces across Europe. How do you view the current situation? What kinds of pressure is civil society in Germany facing in particular?  

The situation is exactly as you describe it: just like in the rest of the world, we’re seeing civil society spaces becoming increasingly restricted in many parts of Europe. The Civicusmonitor provides a clear picture of this on its global map. Although each country naturally has its own specific context, when we look across Europe as a whole we can see that the growing pressure on civil society stems largely from the rise of authoritarian forces and increasing “securitization” – in other words the prioritization of security-focused agendas such as counterterrorism at the expense of democratic freedoms.

In Germany, there’s also an ongoing debate about how political civil society is allowed to be. Sceptics argue that shaping political will is primarily the responsibility of political parties and cite Article 21 of the Basic Law. Meanwhile, supporters of a more participatory understanding of democracy point out that, in the very same article it says parties “participate” to forming political will – meaning civil society should also be a legitimate space for political engagement and opinion-shaping. In the context of this conflict, politically active organizations are coming under attack – through challenges to their charitable status, for instance – in an effort to limit their ability to act and undermine their financial stability. Added to this is the sharp shift to the right in Germany, where far-right actors are deliberately portraying civil society as the enemy. They attempt to intimidate democratic initiatives through smear campaigns, parliamentary requests, hate speech, and violence. At the same time, they’re building their own structures and pushing out pro-democracy organizations – by taking over the only local cultural or sports club in a village, for example.

What are the consequences of losing civic space, both for individual democracies in Europe and for European unity as a whole?  

Democracy and civil society are deeply interconnected. A strong civil society promotes democratic processes by enabling participation, strengthening social cohesion, and acting as a check on government power. It can foster pluralistic debate and counter authoritarian tendencies. At the same time, a healthy democracy provides the space for a free and diverse civil society, one that gives voice to social interests and empowers people to help shape their communities. This means that when the space for a critical, pro-democracy civil society shrinks, the quality of democracy suffers, too. 
Looking at Europe as a whole, civil society has played a key role in fostering a shared European identity. Many initiatives promote cross-border exchange, build a sense of unity, and serve as a bridge between citizens and institutions. In areas such as human rights, environmental and social policy, and the rule of law in particular, civil society actors are actively working toward a democratic and solidarity-based Europe. Without them, European integration would be less inclusive, less participatory, and less resilient – which may be one reason why civil society is coming under attack in the first place.

What can we as citizens do in practical terms? 

There are several ways for people can take action. Firstly it’s vital to show up and get involved. The recent anti-AfD demonstrations clearly demonstrated the powerful momentum that pro-democracy mobilization can have. Anyone can contribute by joining clubs, initiatives, or political processes – and in doing so, help strengthen democratic values. Just as important is supporting civil society itself. The more independent civil society organizations are, the better equipped they are to act as watchdogs. By donating or volunteering, people help these groups rely less on state funding. Crowdfunding and donations help maintain their independence – and with it, their capacity for action: after all, democracy doesn’t come for free.
It’s also essential to speak out and demand participation whenever democratic freedoms are threatened. Citizens can push back against these developments, call on their governments to create more opportunities for involvement, and advocate for civic education in schools. In the end, what’s needed is a broad societal awareness of the importance of civic engagement and civil society – because that’s what will keep democratic structures strong over the long term.
 

Want to learn more about civil society under pressure? Discover more background information in our interview format '3 questions for...'!

Find out from our European partners and those on the ground: Where are civil societies under pressure? And how can we work together to strengthen them?