NET4DEFENDERS is a collaborative project dedicated to strengthening civic space and
protecting fundamental rights across the EU. By empowering key civil society actors, it
fosters enhanced collaboration among organizations from Italy, Spain, France, Slovenia,
Poland, and the European Civic Forum (ECF).
Our approach:
- Capacity Building: We offer both online and in-person training to N4D partners and national networks, empowering civil society actors and promoting collaboration at every level.
- Common Monitoring Methodology: We develop standardized tools and indicators to
assess and monitor the state of civic space across EU member states. - Protection and Solidarity Hubs: We provide targeted support to civil society organizations
(CSOs) and human rights defenders facing threats, through dedicated solidarity and
protection mechanisms. - Awareness-Raising and Advocacy: We raise awareness about the importance of civic space and EU protection instruments, organizing national dialogues and advocacy forums to drive change.
Our comprehensive communication strategy ensures that the challenges facing civic space
are highlighted, facilitating crucial dialogue with European institutions and amplifying the
voices of CSOs and defenders.
The Novact Institute for Nonviolence is a non-profit association dedicated to conflict
transformation and peacebuilding. It has been working in the Euro-Mediterranean region for over 20 year
Founded in 2002, the Polish Legal Clinics
Foundation – FUPP coordinates 25 legal clinics at law and administration faculties, involving 2,000 students and 350 academics. It provides free legal advice to marginalized communities, handling about 12,000 cases annually. The program aims to offer legal assistance to impoverished populations while promoting practical training and raising awareness about pov
ARCI is a major cultural and social promotion
association in Italy, founded in 1957 in Florence to strengthen community centers and recreational clubs, following the mutualist tradition of popular and anti-fascist movements
that contributed to Italian democracy. Today,
brings together hundreds of thousands of
members and associations, defending peace, rights, equality, solidarity, free access to culture, and social justice, based on democratic values and freedom of association.
La Ligue Française pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme et du Citoyen – LDH is an
association founded under the 1901 law,
bringing together people from diverse
backgrounds committed to defending rights
and freedoms for all. It operates independently of political parties and unions, actively participating in civic life and political debates. LDH fights against racism, sexism, and discrimination, promoting social citizenship and a strong democracy. It defends civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights, supporting marginalized groups and
combating stigmatization.
The Legal Center for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment – PIC is a Slovenian NGO that defends human and environmental rights. It provides legal support to individuals, vulnerable groups, and other NGOs to protect their rights and strengthen their social standing. It assists people with disabilities, victims of violence, and migrants, promoting non-discriminatory treatment. Additionally, it advises asylum seekers and advocates for environmental protection. PIC also engages in policy-making, civil dialogue, and public education on rights and legal processes.
The European Civic Forum – ECF works to build a civic and democratic Europe that responds to people’s needs. It defends civic space and the recognition of civil society organizations in policymaking. It connects social actors transnationally through conferences, forums, and alliances. The Forum also monitors civic space in Europe and reports developments through Civic Space Watch and Civicus Monitor.
Fund – CERV-2023-CHAR-LITI
