Civitates Fund

Civitates Fund is sponsored by King Baudouin Foundation. Civitates Fund provides funding for civil society actors to strengthen European democracies through revitalizing public discourse and supporting independent journalism.

Civitates is a pooled philanthropic fund which supports independent public interest media and civil society organisations in Europe. A vibrant civil society and an independent media are cornerstones of open democracies. Yet in many parts of Europe they are under pressure, as political polarisation deepens, civic space shrinks and disinformation spreads.

It was in response to this trend – and the rise of autocratic leaders elected on populist agendas – that Civitates was founded in 2018. Since then, our pooled fund has supported more than 50 organisations to defend the key pillars of democracy in 18 European countries with a total of € 13 million, and growing.

The complexity of strengthening independent media and civil society, and of creating a digital sphere conducive to healthy democracies, is beyond the scope of any single organisation. This is why a number of foundations operate under the Civitates’ umbrella. They are diverse, but share a common goal: defending democracy in Europe.

“Without Civitates, we wouldn’t be where we are right now: with 14 reporters and a strong team that is on the right track to being self-sustainable. ” The Panoptykon Foundation Poland “Panoptykon Foundation was founded in Poland 15 years ago to defend humans from the threats of rapidly-changing technologies… using the pool of expertise and campaigning power from Civitates.

” “Without Civitates, organising our campaign encouraging young people to shape society through voting would not be possible, and the support is a tremendous help for the coalition’s members. ” King Baudouin Foundation Belgium “Civitates provides us with the opportunity to work and exchange knowledge with peers who share the same aim: arresting the decline in democracy in Europe and strengthening its safeguards.

” Anonymous survey respondent “The [Civitates’] team provides opportunities to learn in a safe environment, which in terms of philanthropy is not so common. It also takes good care for the grantees to let them know each other.

” “The percentage of our costs covered by member donations keeps growing and Civitates’ core support was instrumental in allowing us to develop new engagement tools and to focus on important under-reported topics” Civitates’ vision is of a Europe where independent media and civil society flourish in an atmosphere of free and open debate, where the online disinformation that poisons public discourse is stemmed, and democratic principles are upheld.

Civitates supports organisations working to achieve these goals through our collaborative philanthropic fund. We also act as a catalyst to spur other public and private donors to defend and promote democracy in Europe. Solidarity, collaboration and openness are at the heart of our approach.

so that civil society organisations and independent media are free to perform their vital roles as society’s watchdogs. Tackle the disinformation that saturates online platforms, and drives political polarisation while undermining democracy. for encouraging public and private donors to give more funding to defend and promote democracy in Europe.

As a result, we decided to continue supporting the same three portfolios (or Sub-Funds): Civic Power, Tech and Democracy and Media. With warning signs flashing of growing political polarisation across Western Europe, we also decided to rebalance our geographical focus – but not at the expense of those organisations in Central and Eastern Europe who are already operating under tighter constraints and in shrinking civic space.

Of the 55 billions of euros philanthropists give every year, a minuscule amount goes towards organisations working to strengthen democracy and open civic space. We are determined to act as a catalyst for a substantial increase in public and private funding in these areas.

Civitates’ great strength is being able to provide multi-year, flexible core support to organisations working to protect and promote the key pillars of open democratic societies.

Grantee Spotlight , Opinion piece Civil society pushes back against foreign agents laws The Long Road to Redemocratisation Valiant journalism in trying times Securing Europe’s democratic future: MFF funding is vital Rebuilding Hungary’s democratic pillars Civitates Forum, March 2026 secretariat@civitates-eu.

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