Democratic Backsliding Is Everyone’s Problem: What We Can Do About It
Democratic backsliding is often treated as a problem for democracy organizations. But when civic space contracts, institutions weaken and misinformation spreads, the consequences reach much further.
Climate action becomes harder when misinformation undermines public support. Progress on education, gender equality and the SDGs suffers when civil society cannot organize or hold institutions accountable. Businesses face greater political uncertainty. And organizations working with marginalized communities can find themselves operating with fewer resources, less freedom and greater risk.
So what can we actually do about it?
Across the Global South and elsewhere, civil society leaders, funders, intermediaries and other institutions are already adapting to growing repression, polarization, declining trust and geopolitical fractures. Some are building stronger networks and coalitions. Others are experimenting with new approaches to funding, public narratives and collaboration across civil society, government and business.
This session will examine what is working and what needs to change. How can philanthropy fund resilient civic ecosystems rather than isolated organizations? How can external actors support local leaders without increasing their risk? What role can business, government and civil society play together? And what can those working on climate, education, health and development do to protect the democratic conditions their own progress depends on?
Discussion Group Leaders
- Aurelie Lairedj Rapenne is Head of Partnerships at Transparency International, advancing partnerships that strengthen the global fight against corruption and promote transparency and accountability.
- Diego Casaes is Program Director at CECG (Climate Emergency Collaboration Group), advancing collaborative approaches to climate, development, nature governance, and community-led conservation.
- Hrishabh Sandilya is Co-Director at European Philanthropic Initiative for Migration, advancing systems change across migration, philanthropy, democracy, and climate.
- Richard Wike is Director of Global Attitudes Research at Pew Research Center, advancing understanding of global public opinion on democracy, international cooperation, technology, and geopolitics.
A candid, Global South-centered conversation focused on responses rather than diagnosis. Participants will examine practical examples of how organizations are navigating democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space, misinformation and declining international assistance.
The discussion will also explore how philanthropy and intermediaries can help different actors work as an ecosystem, aligning resources, relationships and influence without displacing local leadership.
Who This Is For
This session is for civil society and movement leaders, philanthropists, intermediaries, democracy practitioners, business leaders, policymakers, and people working across climate, education, health and development who recognize that democratic backsliding affects their ability to deliver change.
What You Will Get Out of It
- A clearer understanding of how democratic backsliding affects progress across the SDGs
- Practical approaches to responding to shrinking civic space and misinformation
- Lessons from Global South leaders navigating political and geopolitical instability
- Ideas for funding resilient civic ecosystems rather than isolated organizations
- Ways philanthropy, civil society, government and business can respond without increasing risks for local actors