Civitates

Across Europe, democratic achievements are under increasing pressure. Civil society is shrinking, independent media are under attack, and digital platforms are increasingly being used to spread disinformation and fuel polarization. Civil society organizations dedicated to defending democratic values often face political subversion, restrictive regulations, and chronic underfunding.

Civitates is a philanthropic fund that supports people committed to protecting and revitalizing democracy in Europe. The fund is active in three key areas: strengthening civil society, defending media freedom, and ensuring that technology serves the public interest.

The funding is long-term and flexible, enabling organizations to respond to challenges, develop new opportunities, and build capacity. Various organizations supported by Civitates have exposed political scandals, mobilized voters, challenged unjust laws, and defended threatened communities.

Since its founding in 2018, Civitates has supported more than fifty organizations in defending the key pillars of democracy in 21 European countries. Its impact lies not only in the work it funds, but also in how it does so. Civitates focuses on local expertise, acts on feedback, and continually refines its grant-making processes to better meet the needs of its partners.

Civitates’ goals align well with the mission of the Democracy and Media Foundation. By operating at the intersection of technology and democracy, Civitates adds value at the European level. Participating in this fund gives Dutch initiatives access to a large European network and provides relevant insights from other countries. That is why SDM supports this initiative.