市民社会スペースに関する知見の現在地

抄録

This report summarizes the present knowledge about the current status of civil space. In the past few years, a number of studies and surveys on the shrinking civic space have been published. Accordingly, more knowledge about civic space has been accumulated, and the discussions have been enriched during the period. First, this report briefly reviews the early discussions on civic space and, second, picks up key academic articles and research papers on several different topics. It includes the following topics: 1) the geographical spread of shrinking civic space, 2) factors contributing to the shrinking civic space, 3) funding flow to NGOs, 4) the relationship between civic space and development, 5) conservatization of civil society, and 6) civil society under the COVID pandemic. Lastly, this report points out that there is still no unanimous view on the background and causes of the shrinking civic space, while there are areas where a certain degree of consensus is emerging amidst the many studies and reports issued. In order to effectively respond to the shrinking civic space, it is necessary to clarify the background and causes. This remains an issue that researchers and practitioners need to tackle.