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ecnl.bsky.social
ECNL
@ecnl.bsky.social
We are the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law, working to empower civil society through legal and policy frameworks that protect civic freedoms.
www.ecnl.org
๐Ÿ’ก New report by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network BIRN on how invasive #surveillance technology is used against pro-democracy protesters in #Serbia #Georgia:

balkaninsight.com/2026/01/28/f...
From Georgia to Serbia, Surveillance is Being Weaponised Against Dissent
As they veer from the path of European Union integration, governments in Georgia and Serbia have both wielded invasive surveillance technology against pro-democracy protesters.
balkaninsight.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:00 AM
๐ŸŒŸ Join us in shaping the next chapter of ECNL's journey! ๐ŸŒŸ

Weโ€™re looking for dedicated and forward-thinking individuals to ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐’๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ž๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐‚๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐œ๐ข๐ฅ.

If you share our vision, send us an Expression of Interest before ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ ๐…๐ž๐› ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”.

Find all details here: ecnl.org/openings
January 21, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Reposted by ECNL
CADEโ€™s December newsletter is out!

Highlights from 2025 include:
๐Ÿ“ Civil society using the UN UPR to track digital rights commitments
๐Ÿ“ New resources to help CSOs engage in digital policy & technical spaces
๐Ÿ“ Youth Voices for Digital Rights creative action
AND MORE!

๐Ÿ”— mailchi.mp/diplomacy/ca...
December 30, 2025 at 10:33 AM
๐Ÿ’ซ Look back at 2025 w/ our newsletter, bringing you:
๐ŸŸขpractical resources and tools you can put into practice, like the new guide on how to do innovation right with #FRIAs;
๐Ÿ”ต research to inform your work on #democracy, #AI, #foresight ... & much more.

Sign up for 2026: mailchi.mp/ecnl/2025-in...
December 19, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Reposted by ECNL
Ireland has one of the world's highest concentrations of data centers. The expansion has reshaped the grid & deepened fossil fuel use. As the EU pushes to triple data center capacity, Ireland offers a warning. Read our investigation with AlgorithmWatch.
What Irelandโ€™s Data Center Crisis Means for the EUโ€™s AI Sovereignty Plans | TechPolicy.Press
Louis Boyd-Madsen traces how a model of unregulated digital growth has outpaced energy planning in Ireland, and why it matters for the EUโ€™s AI ambitions.
buff.ly
December 19, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Reposted by ECNL
Great exchange with @ecnl.bsky.social colleagues on how civil society can hold international organisations accountable and advance human rights.

Belarus reminds us that this is a long haul (I remember the Jan 2011 civil society meeting well) ๐Ÿคโค๏ธ๐Ÿค
December 17, 2025 at 12:34 PM
๐Ÿš€ New: Guide to Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments ๐Ÿš€

How can #FRIAs be conducted meaningfully & in line with the #AIAct?

๐Ÿ‘‰ Here's a clear roadmap from ECNL & DIHR for deployers of high-risk AI systems - and anyone seeking to deploy AI responsibly - to do so.

๐Ÿ”— ecnl.org/publications...
December 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
๐Ÿ“ข How can journalists and civil society work together? What are the best practices for effective collaboration?

๐Ÿ”ต Join this Civic Journalism Coalition Webinar TODAY with ECNL, @disclose.ngo, @lighthousereports.com and EDRI:
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
December 15, 2025 at 8:59 AM
๐Ÿซถ Responsible #AI works best when people collaborate.

In #Amsterdam, the municipality, technical team and citizens co-created an AI system using ECNLโ€™s Framework for Meaningful Engagement: putting public interest and trust at the centre.

Find out more here: ecnl.org/news/amsterd...
December 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
โ— Experienced editor/proofreader (5+ yrs reviewing analytical reports, civic freedoms terminology) wanted for the Monitoring Action for Civic Space (#MACS) project.

๐Ÿ“– You will review 7 country reports to ensure clarity, consistency & accuracy.

Apply by 8 December: ecnl.org/job-openings
#Hiring
December 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ How can people in the Netherlands eat, consume goods, and travel more sustainably? Today, the Dutch National #CitizensAssembly on #Climate presents its answers to this question.

๐Ÿ’ก Read more on the power of involving people in the decisions that shape their lives: ecnl.org/news/citizen...
December 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM
๐Ÿ’กNEW blog: How do we move the commitments of the #EUCivilSocietyStrategy from paper to real action?

๐Ÿ‘‰ Read our reflections:
ecnl.org/news/promise...

#EUCivicSpace #Democracy #Participation
November 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by ECNL
๐Ÿšจ ALERT: Tech is a DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD for Civil Society.
โ€‹
โ€‹Read my new article on the role of tech in the decline of civic freedoms via @techpolicypress.bsky.social

www.techpolicy.press/civil-societ...
Civil Society Is At Riskโ€”and Tech Is Part Of The Problem | TechPolicy.Press
The time for urgent, rights-based innovation in the aid and tech ecosystems is now, writes Gina Romero.
www.techpolicy.press
November 20, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Reposted by ECNL
โฐNew GDRCโ€“WSIS statement on the WSIS+20 Outcome Document.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Key asks:
โ€ข Safeguards against intrusive, rights-violating technologies
โ€ข Protection of encryption, anonymity tools, and free expression
โ€ข Attention to AIโ€™s environmental and human rights impacts
www.gp-digital.org/news/gdrc-ws...
GDRC-WSIS Statement on Revision 1 WSIS+20 Outcome Document โ€“ Global Partners Digital
www.gp-digital.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Interesting new study on the CoE Framework Convention on #AI ๐Ÿ‘‡
November 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM
๐Ÿ“ข See you in court? Join us for a new Civic Journalism Coalition Webinar on 27 Nov. ๐Ÿ“ข

๐Ÿค” Are you a journalist or work for a civil society org? Are you interested in how to use journalistic evidence in litigation? And how to defend yourself against #SLAPPs?

โžก๏ธ us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
November 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Our new step-by-step guide walks you through concrete process recommendations for public institutions and private providers designing or using AI tools for public participation.
โฉ Find out more here: ecnl.org/news/bluepri...
Interested in piloting this tool? Get in touch: info@ecnl.org.
November 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
๐Ÿ™ With gratitude to @hilarysutcliffe.bsky.social, @discord.com, @b-cavello.bsky.social, @linds-anders.bsky.social, and many others not on this platform for their support.
November 19, 2025 at 9:50 AM
๐Ÿš€ Out now: Framework for Meaningful Engagement 2.0

Civil society & affected communities must be part of #AI development to ensure that platforms & developers create rights-based products.

The #FME 2.0 provides practical suggestions on how to do this: ecnl.org/publications...

#ResponsibleAI
November 19, 2025 at 9:50 AM
โœจ Make your voice stronger in shaping #DigitalPolicy!

โœ Apply to a new #CADE training to help you build policy expertise and diplomatic skills!

๐Ÿ“… Ddl: 30 Nov 2025
โžก๏ธ Apply now: cadeproject.org/in-focus/cap...
Capacity Development Programme for CSOs 2025โ€“2026 - CADE โ€“ Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment
Empowering civil society to shape digital policy The Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) is strengthening the ability of civil society organisations (CSOs) โ€“ especially those from t...
cadeproject.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:52 AM
๐Ÿ‘‹ Are you btw 13 and 17? Do you consider yourself an activist? @amnesty.org wants to hear from YOU! ๐Ÿ’ฌ

Amnesty collects stories from young people whoโ€™ve taken action - online or offline. Whether itโ€™s for climate, equality or any other cause, your voice matters.

๐Ÿ“ฒ survey.zohopublic.eu/zs/ZHEFrJ
Children's Activism
Your response would be greatly appreciated.
survey.zohopublic.eu
November 17, 2025 at 10:40 AM
๐Ÿš€ Officially launching LEAD today at #COP30! #LEADwithUs ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿ’š

Join a growing community of defenders, civil society, philanthropy, LEAD champions, and over 100k citizens globally! Let's elevate the voices of environmental human rights defenders in #ClimateAction.

๐Ÿ“ฝ๏ธ www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXSF...
Leaders Network for Environmental Activists and Defenders #LEAD
Environmental rights defenders often put their lives on the line to defend their territories. The Leaders Network for Environmental Activists and Defenders (LEAD) brings governments, defenders, civilโ€ฆ
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:03 PM
โš ๏ธ The EU must uphold hard-won protections for #digital #HumanRights!

๐Ÿšจ 120+ orgs, unions and defenders urge the EU to halt its planned #DigitalOmnibus proposals - the biggest rollback of digital fundamental rights in EU history.

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ Read the open letter:
ecnl.org/news/eu-must...
The EU must uphold hard-won protections for digital human rights
Over 120 civil society organisations, trade unions and defenders urge the EU to halt its planned Digital Omnibus proposals that are part of a broader deregulation agenda.
ecnl.org
November 13, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Reposted by ECNL
As #COP30 begins, a silent war unfolds in courtrooms. Corporations are weaponising the law to silence #ClimateDefenders through #SLAPPs.

๐Ÿ”— Read on @ipsnews.net : www.ipsnews.net/2025/11/sile...

#ClimateJustice #CivicSpace #SLAPPs #COP30
November 11, 2025 at 8:06 AM