The Foreign Service Journal, May 2018

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2018 47 example, have followed the example of violent governments by hijacking opponents’ social media accounts to broadcast grisly displays of revenge. The chart on page 48 lists some of the common techniques used to close civic space, with specific country examples. Without an active civil society empowered to hold a government accountable to its citizens, develop- ment investments will be unsustain- able. USAID plays an instrumental role in the design, implementation and evaluation of innovative programs to respond to closing space. Our approach includes long-term support to civil society strengthening programs worldwide. We collaborate with other agencies and interagency working groups of the U.S. government, as well as other actors, for a broad and coordinated approach to these thorny challenges. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to closing space, USAID has developed a three-pronged approach that codifies effective responses to common concerns: prevention, adapta- tion and continued support. Prevention begins with identifying and tracking civil soci- ety conditions. Tools like the USAID-supported Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index provide systematic analysis of emerging trends in civil society, critical for identifying where risks and opportunities lie. CSOSI reports on the strength and overall viability of the civil society sector in more than 70 coun- tries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Eurasia, based on seven key dimensions: legal environment, financial viability, organizational capacity, advocacy, service provision, infrastructure and public image. USAID’s Legal Enabling and Environment Project tracks the development of restrictive law, policy and regulatory propos- als. Blocking restrictive changes while they are in draft form can be both easier and more effective than trying to repeal laws that have been passed and put into practice. Last year, LEEP’s support provided direct technical assistance in 17 countries. Because of its intervention, laws or regulations were improved in Congo-Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Somalia and Kosovo; the effects of restrictive laws or draft laws were mitigated in Indo- nesia, Moldova and Nigeria; and the initiative helped empower CSOs and civil society in numerous other countries. USAID also emphasizes a “big tent” approach to its activi- ties, engaging a broad array of activists, including journalists and the private sector, to reinforce open civic space. When asked how he has changed his operations given closing politi- cal space, Charles Vandyck, a leader in West African civil soci- ety development stated: “A lesson learned from years of cam- paigning on social justice issues is that the most unexpected alliances often give the most impact. It brings new perspectives and entry points to the table, but most of all, it gives the cause credibility, legitimacy and, ultimately, power. And that, more than anything, is what matters.” Adaptation under changing conditions requires flexibility. If a government restricts the operations of nonprofit organiza- tions, for example, a group can sometimes legally reincorpo- rate as a for-profit enterprise while pursuing similar goals. As repressive governments try to keep pace and adjust to CSOs’ changing behavior, civil society must constantly evolve to stay ahead of new impediments. When restrictive laws are passed, USAID seeks opportunities to mitigate their impact on civil society, working with CSOs and governments to soften policy enforcement. When governments seek to strangle CSOs with cumbersome administrative requirements, assistance pro- grams can provide legal and technical support, ensuring that organizations can avoid disruption due to noncompliance. Finally, redressing closing space is a long-term commitment that requires continued support , even in the face of ongoing repression. When autocrats sense that foreign attention is wan- A Palestinian boy stands in front of his campaign poster urging his peers to elect him to a position on his Youth Local Council in Hebron, West Bank. Since 2012 USAID’s partner Global Communities has promoted youth involvement in democracy and local governance through these voluntary bodies, composed of Palestinian youth from 15 to 20 years old. GLOBALCOMMUNITIESWESTBANKANDGAZA/COURTESYOFUSAID