Philanthropic freedom and civic space more broadly are under attack and must be defended and promoted through a prompt and concerted response of the philanthropic, civil society and NGO sectors.

In a concerted effort to address these pressing issues and to develop a culture of giving and solidarity globally, the representatives of WINGS, CIVICUS and its Affinity Group of National Associations (CIVICUS/AGNA), and the International Forum of National NGO Platforms (IFP), three global networks representing the spectrum of civil society actors – civil society networks and organizations, national NGOs, and philanthropy support organizations – have signed a joint declaration in which they commit to:

–        Mutually share new initiatives or important outputs;

–        Collect and share data and success stories on shrinking civic space;

–        Create synergies in different areas;

–        Facilitate alliances at national level.

The full declaration is available here.

In this context, WINGS is launching a call for successful and innovative initiatives on the promotion of a more enabling environment for philanthropy and civil society. Guidelines can be found here.

For more information on the background of this initiative, please see the notes from the meeting in Mexico held during WINGSForum in February, 2017, available here.