• Posted 19-Oct-2021

University of Nicosia: Protecting Civic Space in the EU | FRA Report

The University of Nicosia acts as the main contractor for FRA in Cyprus for the FRANET project. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is one of the EU’s decentralised agencies, acting as a centre of fundamental rights expertise.

FRA Report Overview  

Civil society organisations play a vital role in promoting fundamental rights, but they face diverse challenges across the European Union. This report presents FRA’s findings on a range of such challenges. The findings are based on research, and on two online consultations with civil society organisations, carried out in 2020. 

The research underscores that the situation varies considerably across Member States. Yet it also shows that the situation in 2020 was generally more difficult than in previous years, often due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this reality, the research also points to some positive developments. 

In this report: 

• Key findings and opinions 

1. Overall challenges and opportunities for civil society across the EU 
2. Strong and active civil society: General developments 
3. Regulatory environment 
4. Access to and use of funding 
5. Access to and participation in decision making 
6. A safe space for civil society 

Country-specific Report for Cyprus | Legal environment and space of civil society organisations in supporting fundamental rights 

The country-specific report delved into the five most significant civic space developments in 2020, while also touching upon an example of a promising practice during the reporting period. 

Source: University of Nicosia (https://rb.gy/wv2rlt)