THE FUTURE EVOLUTION OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE

Transcript:THE FUTURE EVOLUTION OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE:
THE FUTURE EVOLUTION OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BY 2030 Key findings Goran Forbici METHODOLOGY Broad, as well as in-depth approach: Wide online survey: 180 respondents 33 European CSO networks 147 CSOs from 24 EU member states Desk research Review of over 30 studies, reports, academic research papers on development trends and future prospects of EU CSOs 27 interviews: members of EESC, EESC Liaison Group, CoE, Third Sector Impact academic consortium and representatives of national and European CSO platforms and global CSO network 2 workshops with members of Civil Society Europe GENERAL INSIGHTS Differences between member states make it difficult to measure and compare national CSO sectors Comparing the number of CSOs is misleading due to vast differences in their size; a sector with a few very large CSOs carries more weight than one with many small CSOs. Diminishing differences between sectors in EU regions All three methods identified the same or very similar development factors Current societal trends will most likely continue to influence CSOs until 2030 5 MOST INFLUENTIAL SOCIETAL TRENDS AFFECTING CSOS Demographic changes Economic crisis Digitalisation Populism Shrinking civic space EFFECT ON CSOs Stronger and changing relations with the authorities: more and more business-like -> social policies increasingly follow a social-investment-logical; CSOs have to do more to show their (social) impact; higher/increasing demand for CSOs services Changes in lifestyle: people less willing/able to commit their time to CSOs; ageing CSO management and rigid management structures, Decrease of national public funds, Revenue structures changed, Public funding returned to the pre-crisis amount. But not the character: From stakeholder to provider Decline of citizen engagement with CSOs, since people can now directly participate in public life, help a cause (without interacting with CSOs) Negative effects of digitalisation on the public discourse: lack of dialogue, in-depth discussions, loss of a lot of relevant information Increasing pressure on CSOs (Western Europe: decrease in funds for advocacy, Eastern Europe: threats to freedom of assembly and expression) CSO RESPONSE UNDER WAY Diversifying existing and developing new services Developing new business/organisational/fundraising models Diversification of funding sources Adapting to the new digitalised world Engaging in civic education Awareness raising campaigns Mergers, rationalization of services REMAINING CHALLENGES Development of new services Leadership succession; gradual, mentored and conflict-free change in CSO management structures. Attracting and keeping young staff Upgrading and re-inventing CSOs’ societal role + Showing CSO social impact Developing and promoting new activities, digital