Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a quiet but decisive role in building fairer, more resilient societies. They advocate for good governance and human rights, hold institutions accountable, deliver essential services and speak up for communities that might otherwise be unheard.

Yet, across Europe and Central Asia, the space in which they operate is shrinking rapidly. New restrictive laws, limits on access to foreign funding, growing state control (often justified through security concerns) are narrowing civic freedoms and exposing CSOs, activists and journalists to growing risks. These pressures often go hand-in-hand with backlashes against gender equality and human rights, creating an environment in which, for many organizations, even routine civic action has become complex, uncertain and fragile.

At the same time, digital transformation is reshaping civic space. Online platforms, artificial intelligence, open data and digital tools have opened new possibilities for participation and collective action. A campaign can now reach thousands in minutes, evidence of abuse can be documented and shared instantly, alliances can form across borders without ever meeting in person. For many, especially young people, digital space has become the primary arena for civic engagement. 

But this digital turn is not without its shadows. The same technologies that empower can also be used to monitor, silence or manipulate. As manipulated or misleading content spreads more easily, and as online spaces grow ever more crowded, it becomes harder to know whom to trust. Surveillance, privacy violations, online manipulation and the dominance of large corporate platforms all pose real risks for civic actors—and for the health of civic space itself. 

Surveillance, data misuse, online harassment, disinformation and the dominance of corporate platforms all pose real risks to civic actors.

Protecting civic space today means addressing both the offline and online dimensions of participation, rights and accountability.

Can digital activism help?

Where traditional civic space is restricted, digital activism can offer alternative ways for people to participate, organize and connect. Online platforms allow CSOs to document abuses, counter misinformation, mobilize support and work across borders. 

But digital activism on its own is not enough. Online engagement can easily remain superficial and create a false sense of impact, measured in likes, shares or hashtags, without leading to real change. “Clicktivism” and performative support may raise awareness but without links to offline, concrete action legal advocacy or community organizing, their impact is limited. Echo chambers can further narrow perspectives, reinforcing divisions rather than building inclusive movements.

Are CSOs in the region ready for digital activism?

As connectivity and participation expand, so do surveillance, harassment, algorithmic manipulation and digital exclusion. This shifts the question from whether digital tools matter to how they can be used safely and inclusively, without reinforcing the very inequalities and risks that threaten civic space.

To better understand how civil society is navigating these challenges, UNDP commissioned an assessment with Social Movement Technologies on the digital organizing capacity of youth and civil society organizations operating under varying levels of civic space restriction across the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe.

The assessment revealed a picture of both constraint and resilience. Organizations operate under political pressure and public mistrust, while navigating disinformation and trauma-sensitive contexts. At the same time, they demonstrate strong grassroots connections, adaptability and a clear appetite for strengthening their digital capacities.

Three key gaps stood out. 

First, digital systems are often fragmented, limiting organizations’ ability to grow, mobilize and protect supporters. Second, CSO organizing remains largely staff-driven, with few pathways for supporters to transition into volunteers, organizers or leaders. Third, storytelling remains a challenge: many organizations struggle to move beyond technical language while navigating ethical risks in polarized and trauma-affected contexts.

Strengthening the landscape

For a grounded path forward, we see practical ways to strengthen digital activism in shrinking civic spaces.

Effective digital activism is part of broader movements. Understanding how NGOs, grassroots groups, students, influencers and frontline leaders interact helps organizations design campaigns that shift public narratives and remain resilient under political pressure. By working more intentionally in the digital space, CSOs can build relationships while reducing exposure. Focusing on peer-to-peer communication also allows them to avoid public broadcasting.

Visibility is not enough. Strong digital activism creates clear pathways that move supporters from passive engagement to active involvement, building locally rooted capacity beyond core teams. This requires intentional design: segmenting audiences, offering graduated forms of participation and linking online engagement to concrete offline opportunities.

Digital impact depends on infrastructure.  Simple, integrated systems—linking supporter databases, petitions, email tools and project management—can significantly improve outreach while keeping costs and risks manageable.

Storytelling must be both compelling and responsible. In polarized and trauma-affected contexts, ethical digital storytelling is essential. Trauma-informed approaches, informed consent and protection practices help ensure stories amplify voices without causing harm, while short-form platforms offer powerful opportunities to reach new audiences.

When embedded in broader civic strategies, digital engagement can strengthen resilience and sustain collective action under pressure.

For policymakers, donors and international partners, this requires a shift from short-term tools and campaigns toward long-term investments in secure digital infrastructure, leadership pathways, ethical storytelling and protection for those most at risk. For civil society, the challenge is to use digital space not just for visibility, but to build locally rooted, collective power capable of driving change beyond the screen.

Last December, we hosted a training for CSOs and more than 100 CSO practitioners from across Europe and Central Asia for a training on Building Unity and Social Cohesion in Challenging Times that focused on the key elements of digital activism above, offering concrete takeaways and a starting point for continued learning. 

In shrinking civic spaces, digital activism is not a shortcut to transformation. But when used strategically and responsibly, and anchored in trust, solidarity and offline action, it can help defend civic space, amplify unheard voices and turn participation into lasting democratic impact.