Thread: What does the coronavirus mean for civil society globally? In a new article, Tom Carothers, @YoungsRichard & I explore several emerging trends. https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/04/21/civil-society-and-coronavirus-dynamism-despite-disruption-pub-81592">https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/04/2...

In short: While there has rightly been a lot of focus on the threat of executive overreach & new restrictions on civic freedoms, the pandemic is also catalyzing new forms of civic solidarity and mobilization.

We see the following patterns:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow">Creation of new mutual aid initiatives
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow">Repurposing of existing CSOs to respond to urgent needs
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow">Extensive efforts to fight disinformation about the virus
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow">Emergence of new advocacy roles and tactics
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow">Shifts in protests activity

However, pivotal questions remain unanswered. Will new aid efforts boost civil society legitimacy in the face of govt attacks, or result in backlash? Can local initiatives scale up to the national level? Will it be possible to shift from emergency aid to broader reforms?

What does this mean for int. aid right now? We emphasize the need for funding flexibility (now more than ever), building civic participation into top-down responses, and using the crisis to strongly push back against anti-civil society narratives & restrictions. @CarnegieDCG

Thanks to our amazing Civic Research Network for their insights, and watch out for a longer report by the group in the coming months. @mariakoomen @Faiyla @HafsaHalawa & @jamesmsavage & everyone else!

cc: @NDIcitizens @JCPinckney @MariaJStephan @EricaChenoweth @ImpactPeace @KimberShearer @EEDemocracy @FundHumanRights @AuliStarck @A_L_Pickering @TonuBasu @NEDemocracy @civilresistance @davesaldivar @mandeep_tiwana1 @lysajohn @ICNLAlliance @doaneatlarge @Anne_Kreft @nomhossain