Civil society is facing a decisive moment. Civil society organizations (CSOs) that protect rights, strengthen communities, and open doors for those left out are under pressure like never before. Across the world, democratic spaces are shrinking, and the legitimacy of civil society work is questioned. At the same time, the systems of support that sustained these organizations for decades are weakening. International funding has fallen by billions of dollars, and if we do not act, more than 40 percent of CSOs could disappear in the coming years. 

This moment, however, is not only about what we risk losing. It is also about what we are called to build. 

Why This Matters 

Civil society is more than a collection of organizations. It is a space where citizens come together to defend freedoms, provide services to people when governments and markets fail, and imagine new possibilities for democracy and solidarity. When civil society is weakened, societies as a whole become less resilient. Rights go unprotected. Communities are left vulnerable. The promise of democracy is eroded. 

During this time of upheaval and uncertainty, it is important to do more than simply seek to save civil society as it exists now. We also need to redefine and reimagine what civil society could become. Reimagining civil society is not an abstract exercise—it is about ensuring that our societies remain just, open, and inclusive. It is about protecting the possibility of citizens working together to solve problems that affect us all.  

What We Are Building 

Reimagining the Future of Civil Society is a collective effort born in the Global South to confront today’s challenges with creativity and action. The work moves across three interconnected dimensions: 

1. Narrative and Legitimacy: For too long, civil society has been underestimated or rendered invisible. We are building a new story—one that highlights the essential contributions of CSOs to democracy, human and civil rights, and societal well-being. 
2. Sustainability and Innovation: Financial fragility cannot be the norm. We are exploring pooled funds, collective financing, hybrid models, digital platforms, and new partnerships that allow organizations to remain autonomous and strong. 
3. Collaboration across Sectors: No transformation happens in isolation. We are creating spaces where CSOs can work alongside philanthropic organizations, the private sector, academia, governments, and social movements to codesign solutions. 

This is not a top-down plan conceived elsewhere. Intentionally designed with and within civil society organizations, it is a process in motion that is anchored in local realities and informed by diverse voices. 

A Multilevel Effort 

What makes this initiative unique is its scope. We are building bridges across three levels at once: 

1. Local: In Argentina, we are supporting CSOs with tools, diagnostics, and communities of practice to strengthen their sustainability and governance. 
2. Regional: In Latin America, we are convening dialogues and joint actions that connect organizations across countries, sharing strategies for resilience and influence. 
3. Global: We are ensuring that the Global South is not merely “included” in debates but also helps set the agenda. Our participation in international forums and alliances is reframing how cooperation and development are understood. 

Each level informs the other, creating a living network of ideas and actions. Local experiences feed global debates. Regional strategies inspire national innovation. And global commitments are translated back into practical, grounded change for regional and local stakeholders. 

What Is at Stake 

As civil society weakens, the cost is borne by the most vulnerable. Communities are left without support, rights go undefended, and democratic spaces disappear quietly. 

But if we are successful in protecting and expanding democratic governments, we will not only preserve what exists—but also create something stronger. We will show that civil society can be resilient, innovative, and central to solving global challenges, from climate change to inequality, from migration to disinformation. 

This is an opportunity to ensure that civil society is not seen as a complement to democracy but as its beating heart. 

An Invitation 

The future of civil society will not be handed to us. It will be determined by the choices we make, the alliances we build, and the courage we show in today’s moments of uncertainty. 

Reimagining the Future of Civil Society is an opportunity: 

• for organizations to see themselves not as isolated actors but as part of a larger ecosystem; 

• for funders and partners to move beyond short-term grants toward long-term, foundational collaboration and trust; 

• for citizens to recognize their own role in sustaining collective action and defending civic space. 

Every discussion, every partnership, every resource that we create is a step toward a future where civil society is stronger, more grounded, and more impactful. 

Join Us 

We are developing a dedicated web page where all resources generated by this program—webinars, toolkits, and opportunities for collaboration—will be openly available. It will be a living hub, designed for learning, sharing, and collective ownership. 

Civil society has always been about more than institutions—it is about people daring to work together to build a better world. Today, the courage to reimagine is the key to opening the door to our collective democratic future. 

Join the movement. Explore our resources, connect with our network, and take part in reimagining civil society at www.raci.org.ar. 

Guillermo Correa is a political scientist and the executive director of the Argentine Network for International Cooperation (RACI). He works to advance global civil society through leadership, teaching, and board roles, specializing in international cooperation, fundraising, democracy, civic space, and sustainability.

Resilience & Resistance is a Charles F. Kettering Foundation blog series that features the insights of thought leaders and practitioners who are working to expand and support inclusive democracies around the globe. Direct any queries to globalteam@kettering.org.