Session
Democracy Reporting International, DRI
Daniela Alvarado Rincón, Digital Democracy Policy Officer at Democracy Reporting International, CSO. Marie L’Hostis, Advocacy Coordinator at Forus, CSO.
Daniela Alvarado Rincón, Digital Democracy Policy Officer at Democracy Reporting International, CSO. Marie L’Hostis, Advocacy Coordinator at Forus, CSO.
Organization's Website
Speakers
Daniela Alvarado Rincón, Digital Democracy Policy Officer at DRI (Moderator and Speaker)
Marie L’Hostis, Advocacy Coordinator at Forus (Speaker and Rapporteur)
Eduardo Marenco, Advocacy and Campaigns Officer at CIVICUS (Speaker)
Onsite Moderator
Daniela Alvarado Rincón
Rapporteur
Marie L’Hostis
SDGs
5.1
5.b
9.1
9.c
10.2
16.3
16.6
16.8
Targets: This session engages with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 5 (Gender Equality), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). By addressing the challenges CSOs face in securing digital spaces and advocating for digital rights, the session underscores the need for inclusive, resilient, and accessible digital infrastructure (SDG 9). It highlights the growing digital inequalities that disproportionately affect communities in the Global Majority (SDG 10) and emphasizes the role of secure and open digital environments in fostering inclusive communities (SDG 11). Furthermore, it stresses the importance of protecting freedoms of expression and participation online, which are crucial for peaceful and accountable societies (SDG 16). In the context of SDG 5, the session may touch on how gender disparities are amplified in the digital space, where women and marginalized gender groups often face additional risks such as online harassment and exclusion from digital platforms.
5.b
9.1
9.c
10.2
16.3
16.6
16.8
Targets: This session engages with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 5 (Gender Equality), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). By addressing the challenges CSOs face in securing digital spaces and advocating for digital rights, the session underscores the need for inclusive, resilient, and accessible digital infrastructure (SDG 9). It highlights the growing digital inequalities that disproportionately affect communities in the Global Majority (SDG 10) and emphasizes the role of secure and open digital environments in fostering inclusive communities (SDG 11). Furthermore, it stresses the importance of protecting freedoms of expression and participation online, which are crucial for peaceful and accountable societies (SDG 16). In the context of SDG 5, the session may touch on how gender disparities are amplified in the digital space, where women and marginalized gender groups often face additional risks such as online harassment and exclusion from digital platforms.
Format
The session will take the form of a Lightning Talk Series, featuring three 7-minute presentations from DRI, Forus, and CIVICUS (with onsite participation from our Network Members to be confirmed).
Each talk will present case studies based on evidence gathered through the EU SEE Programme’ outputs, such as Country Focus Reports, Early Warning Alerts, and snapshots. The selected cases will highlight different challenges and advocacy strategies used to counter threats to CSOs’ digital environments. These cases will also showcase real-world impacts of recent geopolitical shifts and the evolving content moderation policies of platforms on Global Majority CSOs. After the presentations, there will be a 7-minute interactive segment for questions and reflections, inviting discussion on how these examples from the Global Majority can inform and shape global internet governance frameworks.
Duration (minutes)
30
Description
In an era of rising digital authoritarianism and shrinking civic space, CSOs worldwide are facing unprecedented threats to their digital security and operational freedom. As part of the EU System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) initiative, our consortium is tracking how these challenges unfold across 86 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, the Americas, and the Caribbean.
One of the key principles in our research is CSOs’ access to a secure digital environment. This includes assessing whether they can freely express critical views without the risk of censorship, surveillance, cyberattacks, or online defamation; and whether CSOs have the necessary digital literacy to navigate online spaces safely and protect themselves from digital threats.
Geopolitical shifts have deteriorated the enabling environment for CSOs worldwide. Funding cuts for international aid have forced organizations to downsize or shut down, while governments are increasingly using Trump’s distorted narratives as justification for crackdowns, including defamation campaigns, investigations into foreign-funded CSOs, and restrictive laws. Meanwhile, Big Tech platforms like Meta and X have amplified these challenges, adopting content moderation policies that disproportionately impact freedom of expression, privacy, and civic engagement.
This session will bring these critical issues to life through a Lightning Talk Series, featuring three dynamic 7-minute talks by DRI, Forus and CIVICUS (with onsite participation from our Network Members to be confirmed). Leveraging the extensive global reach of the EU SEE initiative, we will share first-hand case studies on how geopolitical shifts (including the current political alignment of Big Tech) are impacting the digital enabling environment for CSOs from the Global Majority—particularly in regions where civic space is rapidly shrinking.
By the end of this session, participants will have a clearer, evidence-based understanding of how digital geopolitics are affecting CSOs’ digital security, freedom of expression, and their ability to engage on social media platforms. We aim to spark a collective dialogue on the crucial role of civil society from the Global Majority in addressing these challenges, advocating for digital rights, and actively shaping the future of internet governance.
Insofar as it explores how geopolitical shifts and digital policies are exacerbating digital inequalities and restricting fundamental freedoms online this session aligns closely with IGF’s subtheme: "Building Universal Access and Digital Rights”. By leveraging first-hand data from 86 countries, this session will contribute to the broader IGF conversation on universal access as a human right, emphasizing the need for an inclusive, open, and secure digital future. It will also address the role of civil society in advocating for digital rights, countering digital authoritarianism, and shaping policies that ensure equitable internet governance. In doing so, we aim to support the SDGs (5, 9, 10, and 16) and align with existing international frameworks such as the WSIS action lines (C2, C3, C4, C7, C8, C10) and the Global Digital Compact (GDC 1, 2, 3, 4).
About EU SEE: https://eusee.global/about/
The Lightning Talks will be held in-person, but we are working to ensure active participation from Network Members. If they cannot attend in person, we will bring their insights into the session remotely. To broaden the impact, we are also reaching out to the wider public, encouraging engagement and ensuring that diverse perspectives are included. After the session, we will share the discussions and feedback with both Network Members and the public, keeping the conversation going and amplifying the session’s reach.
The Lightning Talks will be held in-person, but we are working to ensure active participation from Network Members. If they cannot attend in person, we will bring their insights into the session remotely. To broaden the impact, we are also reaching out to the wider public, encouraging engagement and ensuring that diverse perspectives are included. After the session, we will share the discussions and feedback with both Network Members and the public, keeping the conversation going and amplifying the session’s reach.