Defending Civic Space in the Fight Against Corruption Amid a Changing Global Landscape

June 2025 –

At this side event on the margins of the 16th session of the Implementation Review Group (IRG) in June 2025, experts discussed the mounting challenges faced by civil society organizations, particularly those fighting against corruption. Shrinking foreign aid, geopolitical pressures and restrictive legislation jeopardize the existence of many CSOs fighting corruption worldwide, and threaten the realization of fundamental rights. 

Experts from governments and civil society came together to discuss the evolving situation, as well as the challenges and recommendations related to the way States parties are reviewed for their implementation of UNCAC article 13 on the participation of society. 

The event was sponsored by the United Kingdom and South Africa, and organised by the UNCAC Coalition.

Mathias Huter, Managing Director of the UNCAC Coalition moderated the event and the following speakers participated and shared their insights:

  • Zahra Asif, Policy Advisor, Joint Anti-Corruption Unit, Home Office, United Kingdom (opening remarks)
  • Pleasure Matshego, Director, Ethics, Integrity and Conduct Management, Department of Public Service and Administration, South Africa (opening remarks)
  • Blair Glencorse, Co-CEO, Accountability Lab. 
  • Andrea Rocca, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Transparency International.  

The time for alternative partnerships and structures

Accountability Lab, presented new data from a global survey conducted in May 2025, measuring the impact of US Government aid freeze on organizations across the world. The results showed that organizations needed to act fast to develop alternative partnerships and structures if they wish to continue in their mission, and if globally, we hope to uphold human rights and anti-corruption efforts.

This changing landscape provides an opportunity to do things differently, and shows that organizations need to come together to find synergies, build strategic alliances across sectors and communicate more effectively the importance of what they do. 

Early warning systems for civic space

Transparency International opened their presentation with the EU See project which provides an Early Warning and Monitoring Mechanism to document changes and shed light on critical trends in the enabling environment for civil society–from setbacks to advancements. Results were analyzing looking at the impact of 1-month funding cuts on civic space.

Insights from the UNCAC Coalition’s Member Survey

The UNCAC Coalition presented results from its Annual Activity Survey, which yielded over 180 responses from its members. Respondents identified several key barriers:

  • Shrinking access to funding
  • Limited access to information and decision-makers
  • Restrictive laws and legal harassment
  • Increasing online and physical attacks

In relation to NGO engagement in the IRM, the survey showed the need to strengthen NGO stakeholder participation at key stages of the country review process, enhance transparency by publishing all documents, developing a follow-up process and assessing effectiveness of implementation in practice. 

The survey also pointed to the need to strengthen NGO stakeholder participation at key stages of the UNCAC review process.

A global civil society network promoting the implementation and monitoring of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)