The Strengthening Civil Society Globally (SCS Global) Program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under a Leader with Associates (LWA) Cooperative Agreement, works across sectors to offer USAID Missions and Operating Units a flexible, worldwide platform for designing and implementing projects that strengthen civil society and independent media organizations to advance DRG objectives and other development goals.
SCS Global’s purpose is the identification and development of evidence-based approaches to strengthen civil society and media in support of DRG and other development results in open and closing environments.
CivicSpace.tech was created based on research to identify knowledge gaps among development practitioners from CSOs and USAID concerning digital trends and threats being experienced around the world. It is intended to equip civil society, governmental and other actors with information they need to participate in decision-making conversations about technology in development programming and to protect their interests in the quickly changing digital landscape.
Internews, ICNL, and FHI 360 led the creation of CivicSpace.tech under the SCS Global Leader Award, which was launched in December 2020. NDI led 2023 efforts to update and introduce new content on Generative AI, AR/VR and (LEO) Satellite applications.
 | FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication and social marketing — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories. |
 | Internews, an international nonprofit organization, works with citizens and local media in more than 100 countries. Together with local partners, Internews helps provide people worldwide with the trustworthy, high-quality news and information they need to make informed decisions, participate in their communities, and hold power to account. |
 | The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) works in more than 100 countries to develop long-term relationships with civil society, governments, and the international community to strengthen civic space. ICNL improves the legal environment for civil society, philanthropy, and public participation with and through more than 3500 partners around the world. |
 | The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. |
We extend our sincere thanks to the many peers who reviewed and provided feedback on CivicSpace.tech during its creation, including:
Alexandra Smith, Angela Nicoara, Asta Zinbo, Aubra Anthony, Bishnu Sapota, Caitlyn Ramsey, David Black, David Jacobstein, Diana Parzik, Elizabeth Heideman, Elizabeth Sutterlin, Jaclyn Carlsen, Jared Ford, Josh Machleder, Karim Benard Dende, Krishna Pathak, Lauren Kirby, Lorri Ann Meils, Mariam Afrasiabi, Marley Berk, Matthew Baker, Michael Mcnulty, Michelle Parker, Muatar Khaydarova, Paul Nelson, Rachelle Faust, Rebecca Saxton-Fox, Shannon Maguire.
Writers and Contributors
Ben Silverstein, Claire Pershan, Ella Shoup, Gillian “Gus” Andrews, Haley Slafer, Jon Camfield, Junaid Qadir, Lisa Vermeer, Menatalla Mohamed, Paula Orlando, Rohini Lakshane, Sarah Kreps, Zach Lampell.
Executive Editors
Barney Singer, Deborah Ensor, Maurice Sayinzoga.
Design
Design Lab 360
For more information about SCS Global, please see our web portal, www.NGOConnect.net. You can also reach us at SCSGlobal@fhi360.org if you have questions or resources to share.