2022 ANGOC Annual Report : Sustaining civil society efforts in the midst of shrinking democratic space

Overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic is another sinister threat hanging over democracy and civic space. In recent years, populist and strongman rule have taken over governments around the world. First to go in these instances is tolerance for dissent and perceived “left-leaning thinking.” The result is that civil society, already saddled with shrinking financial support, has been struggling to keep initiatives afloat.

Founded in 1979, ANGOC is a regional association of national and regional networks of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Asia, actively engaged in food security, agrarian reform, sustainable agriculture, participatory governance, and rural development.