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Get a monthly round-up of updates on our project, blogs, articles, and new resources committed to tracking restrictions and reclaiming civic space throughout the pandemic and beyond.
Request for Proposals (RFP) - Small Grants for Civil Society Organizations & Networks Protecting Civic Space
AFSC is offering funding and support to four selected organizations or networks to launch a short campaign to either advocate their governments to sign-up to best practice commitments during and following pandemics, or propose other projects that will protect civic space during a pandemic. The goal of this project is to raise awareness of effective approaches to protect civic space. We are interested in supporting dynamic networks or movements with good ideas, and in need of help to be heard, be it financial help or other forms of support. Please note the process is now closed and the selections are being made. Thank you to all who applied.
COVID-19 and Civil Society report
One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on civic space are increasing. Recognizing the need to protect public health, our report looks at nine kinds of restrictions that could limit civic space for the long term and how civil society can respond.
Our podcast
AFSC's limited-series podcast, "Under the Mask," explores how communities are finding ways to connect, organize, and challenge repression in these times. Our podcast draws from a series of online dialogues hosted by AFSC this summer, which brought together activists and civil society organizations from around the world to share their experiences and tools to counter oppressive state measures.
State restrictions and abuses during COVID-19
Global restrictions
worldmapUnclickable parts of the map signify AFSC’s Under the Mask program does not currently research or monitor the region.
Additional Resources
Get in touch
Under the Mask is an evolving project dedicated to the alarming increase in restrictions on civic space around the world, worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how individuals and organizations are responding to protect that space. We welcome your feedback about this website, and we invite you to participate in our collective effort.