How European Social Movement Leaders Fight for a Better Future
5 Dec 2022
A study by the Allianz Foundation shows that NGOs and social movements are providing important crisis aid, but they are also coming under increasing pressure themselves. The study is based on in-depth interviews with 59 civil society organizations in Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom.
Interviewees testify many of them are coming under increasing pressure, particularly those that focus on the rights of migrants and the LGBTQ+ community. They mention regular attacks and smear campaigns on social media. But that is not all. The risktakers and their organizations can find themselves facing lawsuits and personal attacks, too. The consequence is that some of the interviewees report that the stress and heavy workload have a negative impact on their mental health.
The study provides European civil society and its funders with valuable insights and suggestions, including in response to the question of how risktakers’ transnational networks can be used more effectively going forward.
