Arzak Khan, Digital Policy Expert at Innovation for Change – South Asia Hub in Pakistan, emphasised the importance of developing strategies to build effective and positive relationships with decision-makers. He noted the complexities of navigating bureaucratic systems, suggesting that untangling these structures is crucial for identifying barriers to opening civic spaces and highlighted the necessity of direct lobbying, coalition-building, and networking as key tactics for engaging a wide range of actors, from supporters to decision-makers. His insights underscored the need for strategic engagement and collaboration to overcome obstacles and advance the cause of expanding civic spaces.

Sarah Little, Governance & Civil Society Specialist at Counterpart International, introduced a framework for Civil Society Resilience in Closing Spaces. This framework, she emphasised, is designed as practical guidance for CSOs to navigate and respond to the challenges posed by shrinking civic spaces, stressing its importance in classifying civic spaces based on their levels of openness or vulnerability to closure. Such classification is crucial for effectively identifying and engaging with the sectors and agents responsible for these closures. The framework aims to provide actionable strategies and best practices to help CSOs address and counteract the erosion of civic space. By offering a structured approach to understanding and responding to these challenges, the framework seeks to bolster the resilience of civil society in increasingly restrictive environments.

Kourtney Pompi, Senior Director of Governance at Counterpart International, emphasised the critical connection between the tool presented, ‘Civil Society Resilience in Closing Spaces’ and its practical implementation. For the tool to be effective, she said it is important to map and identify the sectors and actors that are affected by restrictive civic spaces before implementation. She also highlighted the need to address the various dimensions of civic space – such as its political, digital or economic nature – and the challenges posed by limited resources, time, and personnel in the effort to expand and open up these spaces. Pompi stressed that civic spaces are not uniform; while some situations may require active pushing or challenging of governments to effect change, other scenarios might benefit more from fostering constructive dialogue and building effective relationships. Her insights underscored the importance of tailoring approaches to the specific context and needs of each civic space, recognising that flexibility and strategic engagement are essential for advancing civic freedoms.

Flora Soriano Menezes from the Judicial System Monitoring Programme (JSMP) at Counterpart International outlined the organisation’s strategy to improve court processes in Timor-Leste. She stressed the need for effective communication within the judiciary, mandatory recording of court proceedings, and adherence to international standards. She highlighted the success of JSPM’s focus on legal assistance, education, and advocacy, demonstrated by the National Parliament’s collaboration with JSMP on legislation. Additionally, Soriano Mendez noted that political instability, restrictive defamation laws, and conservative norms occasionally threaten Timor-Leste’s civic space.