CIVICUS is a vibrant global alliance founded in 1993 to defend and nurture civil society, helping citizens organise, speak out, and drive progress on issues that matter most. Headquartered in Johannesburg, with additional hubs stretching across continents, CIVICUS brings together more than 15,000 members (from over 189 countries) who represent a truly diverse tapestry—activists, NGOs, faith groups, social movements, unions, and charities. This diversity is not just a strength: it’s woven into everything the alliance does, from sparking collaboration between grassroots organisers in South Asia to connecting coalitions across Latin America and East Africa.
What sets CIVICUS apart is its unwavering commitment to justice, inclusion, and solidarity. The organisation’s mandate centres on strengthening citizen action and protecting the civic freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, and expression—essentials for healthy, democratic societies. Rather than working behind closed doors, CIVICUS champions openness, accountability, and the courage to challenge power. From issuing timely alerts about restrictions in civic space to backing frontline activists with direct support, the alliance acts as both a convener and a catalyst, helping actors across the globe speak truth to power and promote bold, systemic change.
CIVICUS takes pride in broadening participation, making sure voices that are most often excluded claim their place in decision-making. Programmes like the Digital Democracy Initiative empower local civil society actors in the global south to harness technology for advocacy, transparency, and civic engagement. Regional Support Mechanisms led by local partners offer context-specific solutions, as CIVICUS invests in not just financial resources, but also learning, technical support, and community building—tools vital for resilience amid shifting social and political landscapes.
Meet the team
CIVICUS, on LinkedIn
Mandeep Tiwana, Secretary General
Rajavelu Karunanithi, Advocacy & Campaigns Officer, Asia
Taís Siqueira, Local Leadership Labs Coordinator
The alliance is guided by a strategic vision: defend civic freedoms, strengthen the power of people to mobilise, and empower civil society to be more accountable, effective, and innovative. This means supporting activists to monitor progress on international agreements like the Sustainable Development Goals, facilitating citizens’ engagement in global governance, and amplifying local perspectives in spaces where decisions that shape societies are made.
As the world changes, CIVICUS continues to adapt, experiment, and model best practice—constantly innovating to ensure civil society actors can tackle interconnected challenges such as inequality, injustice, climate change, and shrinking civic space. More than an advocacy network, CIVICUS is a living, learning alliance—building solidarity, connecting change-seekers, and always striving to ensure that people, in all their diversity, have the means and courage to shape their own futures.
