The commemorative events to mark this occasion are a call for both reflection and action. Let’s work together to make 2025 a year of commemoration that is grounded in historical awareness and committed to vigilance – especially now that revisionist forces are attempting to “normalize” German history and Russian leadership continues to brutally weaponize memory in its war against Ukraine. Join us in seizing this opportunity to strengthen civic engagement across Europe, launch new educational initiatives, and keep alive the memory of the dangers posed by totalitarian regimes!

This newsletter offers some ideas on how: our interview partners shed light on the alarming situation facing civil society in Europe and the current debate in Germany on NGO neutrality. You’ll also find an overview of the events planned for the Year of Remembrance in 2025 and a preview of our upcoming EVZ Conversations! event on 24 April in Warsaw, where experts will discuss shared approaches to remembering.

Let’s keep engaging together – now more than ever.

Ms. Hummel, as we take a look at the state of civil society in countries across Europe, one thing becomes clear: the space for civic engagement, participation, and diversity is changing dramatically. It is often becoming more difficult – even dangerous – to stand up for human rights, freedom, and democracy. Your research institute closely monitors these spaces across Europe. How do you view the current situation? What kinds of pressure is civil society in Germany facing in particular?  

The situation is exactly as you describe it: just like in the rest of the world, we’re seeing civil society spaces becoming increasingly restricted in many parts of Europe. The Civicusmonitor provides a clear picture of this on its global map. Although each country naturally has its own specific context, when we look across Europe as a whole we can see that the growing pressure on civil society stems largely from the rise of authoritarian forces and increasing “securitization” – in other words the prioritization of security-focused agendas such as counterterrorism at the expense of democratic freedoms. 

In Germany, there’s also an ongoing debate about how political civil society is allowed to be. Sceptics argue that shaping political will is primarily the responsibility of political parties and cite Article 21 of the Basic Law. Meanwhile, supporters of a more participatory understanding of democracy point out that, in the very same article it says parties “participate” to forming political will – meaning civil society should also be a legitimate space for political engagement and opinion-shaping. In the context of this conflict, politically active organizations are coming under attack – through challenges to their charitable status, for instance – in an effort to limit their ability to act and undermine their financial stability. Added to this is the sharp shift to the right in Germany, where far-right actors are deliberately portraying civil society as the enemy. They attempt to intimidate democratic initiatives through smear campaigns, parliamentary requests, hate speech, and violence. At the same time, they’re building their own structures and pushing out pro-democracy organizations – by taking over the only local cultural or sports club in a village, for example.