{"id":21964,"date":"2026-07-16T12:30:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T12:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?p=21964"},"modified":"2026-07-16T12:30:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T12:30:25","slug":"civicus-launches-global-werise-initiative-to-strengthen-civic-space-and-human-rights-networks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?p=21964","title":{"rendered":"CIVICUS Launches Global WeRise Initiative to Strengthen Civic Space and Human Rights Networks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-start=\"185\" data-end=\"812\"><strong data-start=\"185\" data-end=\"223\">Johannesburg, South Africa (HRNW):<\/strong> CIVICUS, the global alliance dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society worldwide, has announced a new phase of its <strong data-start=\"357\" data-end=\"421\">WeRise Global Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (FoPA) Initiative<\/strong>, aimed at building a stronger international network for collaboration, learning, and protection of civic freedoms. As part of the initiative, CIVICUS has invited experts to help design a sustainable global learning framework that will support civil society organizations, grassroots movements, and human rights defenders across more than 180 countries.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"814\" data-end=\"1316\">The WeRise initiative represents one of CIVICUS&#8217; flagship programmes to strengthen freedom of peaceful assembly by promoting knowledge sharing, leadership development, innovation, and long-term cooperation among organizations working to protect civic space. According to the organization, the programme seeks to move beyond traditional grant-making by creating a movement-led global community capable of responding collectively to emerging human rights challenges.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1318\" data-end=\"1750\">CIVICUS noted that civil society organizations continue to face growing pressures in many parts of the world, including restrictions on freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression. Through the WeRise initiative, the organization intends to expand opportunities for collaboration, peer learning, digital engagement, and strategic partnerships that strengthen the resilience of local organizations and community leaders.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1752\" data-end=\"2196\">The programme also focuses on improving organizational capacity by developing practical learning tools, regional exchanges, mentoring opportunities, and collaborative platforms that allow civil society organizations to exchange experiences and successful advocacy strategies. By strengthening local leadership, CIVICUS aims to improve the long-term sustainability of organizations working to promote democracy, accountability, and human rights.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2198\" data-end=\"2641\">In addition to its learning programmes, CIVICUS continues publishing the <strong data-start=\"2271\" data-end=\"2290\">CIVICUS Monitor<\/strong>, one of the world&#8217;s leading resources tracking civic space conditions across nearly every country. The Monitor provides independent assessments of freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, helping governments, researchers, development partners, and international institutions better understand global trends affecting civil society.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2643\" data-end=\"3099\">CIVICUS has emphasized that strong and independent civil society organizations remain essential partners in achieving sustainable development, strengthening democratic governance, promoting transparency, and protecting the rights of marginalized communities. The organization continues working with international institutions, governments, philanthropic organizations, and local partners to encourage greater civic participation and inclusive policymaking.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3101\" data-end=\"3545\">Founded in 1993, CIVICUS has grown into one of the world&#8217;s largest civil society alliances, representing more than 17,000 members and partner organizations in over 180 countries. Through research, advocacy, capacity building, and international cooperation, the alliance supports organizations working to advance human rights, democratic participation, social justice, and sustainable development worldwide.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3547\" data-end=\"4011\">Human rights experts observe that initiatives such as WeRise demonstrate the increasing importance of global cooperation among civil society organizations at a time when many communities continue facing complex humanitarian, environmental, and governance challenges. Strengthening collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing can contribute to more resilient civic institutions capable of promoting peaceful participation and protecting universal human rights.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"v7rry8\" data-start=\"4013\" data-end=\"4035\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"4017\" data-end=\"4035\">Support Appeal<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4037\" data-end=\"4450\"><strong data-start=\"4037\" data-end=\"4450\">Support the World&#8217;s No.1 dedicated Human Rights News Agency to enhance its mission of promoting justice, equality, peace, democracy, and human dignity worldwide. Your generous contribution enables HRNW to continue delivering independent, credible, and timely reporting on global human rights developments while amplifying the voices of civil society organizations working for positive change across the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4452\" data-end=\"4505\"><strong data-start=\"4452\" data-end=\"4469\">Support HRNW:<\/strong> <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?page_id=1083\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4470\" data-end=\"4505\">https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?page_id=1083<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"jn3j7p\" data-start=\"4507\" data-end=\"4525\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"4511\" data-end=\"4525\">Disclaimer<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4527\" data-end=\"5078\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"><em data-start=\"4527\" data-end=\"5078\" data-is-last-node=\"\">This HRNW news report has been prepared using publicly available information released by CIVICUS and other reliable public sources. It is published solely for news and informational purposes. HRNW maintains complete editorial independence, and publication of this report does not necessarily constitute endorsement of the views, programmes, or positions of the organizations mentioned. Readers are encouraged to consult official publications for comprehensive and updated information regarding CIVICUS initiatives, research, and advocacy activities.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_21964\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"21964\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Johannesburg, South Africa (HRNW): CIVICUS, the global alliance dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society worldwide, has announced a new phase of its WeRise Global Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (FoPA) Initiative, aimed at building a stronger international network for collaboration, learning, and protection of civic freedoms. As part of the initiative, CIVICUS has invited&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_21964\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"21964\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 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