Civil society at a crossroads: How funding shifts are reshaping civil society’s role in natural resource governance
Global survey insights
A global survey exploring how funding shifts and shrinking civic space are reshaping civil society’s role in resource governance.
- In April 2025, the EITI surveyed 123 civil society respondents globally on how funding shifts and shrinking civic space are reshaping their role.
- Findings show civil society is resilient, but funding cuts and political pressure are weakening outreach, anti-corruption efforts and energy transition work.
- Shrinking civic space and rising repression are undermining oversight and inclusive governance, threatening transparency and accountability.
- Diversifying funding and protecting civic space are urgent to sustain civil society’s role in resource governance.
- Multi-stakeholder participation remains resilient, but sustained support is needed to protect civil society’s role in transparency.
Executive summary
In January 2025, a directive from the US federal government suspended key foreign assistance mechanisms, including funding for many civil society organisations (CSOs). Given the central role of CSOs in the EITI, the EITI International Secretariat undertook a global survey to assess the implications of this decision and broader donor trends on civil society engagement in resource governance.
Responses from 123 organisations and partners across all regions show that the majority have not experienced direct financial disruptions from recent funding cuts. While this number may increase as the implications of the cuts become clearer, 56% report no direct impact to date. The survey responses show that civil society remains committed and adaptive. The perceived importance of civil society engagement in the EITI process and other resource governance activities remains steady, with some respondents even reporting a slight increase in recognition of its importance.
Nevertheless, civil society participation in the EITI faces evolving and complex challenges. Shrinking civic space and rising political repression are weakening civil society’s operational capacity, legitimacy and ability to hold governments and companies to account. These pressures disrupt critical activities such as capacity building, research, community engagement and multi-stakeholder participation, as well as work aligned with the EITI’s strategic priorities.
The survey highlights the need to diversify funding, protect civic space and invest in resilient, inclusive engagement mechanisms. Addressing these challenges will require coordinated, strategic action by the EITI and its partners to foster enabling environments for civil society involved in the EITI process and to proactively respond to an evolving geopolitical landscape.
