Civic Spaces
About this Topic
The past few years have seen an increase and intensification in the laws and regulations that limit the activities of civil society and challenge the concept of an independent media throughout many parts of Asia and the Pacific. While traditional civil society organizations struggle to carry out their work in challenging conditions, other localized and social media-driven forms of collective action are growing, challenging conventional understandings of the role and form of civil society in local governance. It suggests a fundamental change in the relationship between states and societies in the region that is yet to fully play out. Working in close partnership with civil society throughout the region, the Foundation supports a vision of the civic spaces that are open, diverse, empowering, equitable, and the site of important contributions to governance in the region.
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News and Highlights
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Towards a New Governance Agenda: What Are the Questions That Matter?
The authors explore an intriguing initiative to crowdsource the most important current issues on the governance agenda.
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Podcast: The Pursuit of Democratic Resilience
With the spread of illiberalism and identity politics, it’s been a rocky decade for democracy in much of the world. A project in Indonesia is working on a playbook to stem the antidemocratic tide.
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Developing Adaptive and Entrepreneurial Reform Leaders: The Coalitions for Change Development Entrepreneurship Mentoring Program
In the Philippines, helping improve people’s lives sometimes requires changes to policies. There are areas that directly and tangibly impact people’s lives and which they want to have a say […]
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South Asia Small Grants Program: Second Call for Proposals from Bhutan CSOs
The South Asia Small Grants Program (SASGP), administered by The Asia Foundation, has opened a call for proposals for Bhutanese organizations. The regional program provides small grants for eligible civil […]
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YouthLed Launches First Youth Fellowship Program for Democracy in the Philippines
The Asia Foundation is announcing an open call for applications for its new Youth Leadership for Democracy (YouthLed)’s 2021 Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Fellowship. The LEAD Fellowship is the first-of-its-kind […]
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The Asia Foundation Announces New Call for Proposals for the South Asia Small Grants Program
The Asia Foundation announces a call for proposals for the South Asia Small Grants Program (SASGP). The SASGP will provide small grants to eligible civil society organizations (CSOs) in five […]
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Covid-19 Raises New Hurdles for CSOs
Civil society organizations in Southeast Asia have responded swiftly to the pandemic, in many cases more nimbly than governments. But civil society is also struggling to cope in a time of emergency government powers and shrinking civic spaces.
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Youth Activists Combat Covid-19 Misinformation in Thailand
In Thailand’s far south, where a vast majority of the two million residents identify themselves as Melayu, a group of youth activists collectively known as The Motive use digital content […]
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Elevating Youth Voices Across Thailand
Young Moves is a Chiang Mai-based civil society organization that came together three years ago as a platform for youth from all four regions of Thailand to engage in socio-political […]
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In Sri Lanka, a Public-Private-Civil Society Partnership Turns Plastic Waste into Sportswear
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics contribute significantly to global environmental degradation. Fortunately, PET plastics can also be recycled, multiple times, to make fabrics, fibers, and other synthetic products. Approximately 10 percent […]
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China’s Domestic Violence Law Turns Four
When Chinese beauty vlogger Yuya revealed her story of domestic violence to the internet, she brought a ray of light to dark corner of Chinese society. But China his making great strides in combating DV.
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The Asia Foundation Announces Call for Proposals for the South Asia Small Grants Program
The deadline for applications for the South Asia Small Grants Program (SASGP) has been extended from April 15, 2020 to April 29, 2020. All applications must be submitted by 5.00 […]
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