Advocacy in the context of shrinking spaces

The exchange takes place within the framework of the Digital Theme Days in the private funding system. The Digital Theme Days offer you the opportunity to engage intensively with topics that are relevant to you and to network on specific topics. Unlike conventional events, the exchange rounds are not tied to a fixed programme. This flexible approach allows you to set your own priori-ties and focus specifically on the aspects that are relevant to you.

In this workshop, Dr. Margit van Wessel, expert on advocacy and civic engagement at Wageningen University, will provide insights from her current research on “Advocacy in Constrained Settings – Rethinking Contextuality.” She will illustrate how organizations in complex and challenging contexts can develop strategies, manage risks, and maintain their room for maneu-ver.

Dr. van Wessel has been researching and teaching for many years on advocacy, com-munication for social change, and collaboration between organizations from the Global North and South. A key focus of her work is understanding how civil society actors can have an impact when social and political spaces are becoming more restricted. Her recent publica-tion, “Advocacy in Constrained Settings: Rethinking Contextuality” (2023, Springer), is considered an important contri-bution to the ongoing international debate on civil society action under constraints. In her more recent work, “Reimagining Transcalar Civil Society Advocacy Collabora-tions: Starting from the Global South” (2024), she explores how North–South partnerships can be made fairer and more context-sensitive.

Following her thematic input, the workshop will offer participants the opportunity to share their own experiences and strategies in breakout sessions. Together, participants will discuss challenges and success factors for advocacy work in difficult contexts and connect insights from research with those from (project) practice.

The session is aimed at German civil society organizations and their partner organizations in project countries that receive funding through bengo and engage with issues relat-ed to advocacy, partnership work, and main-taining spaces for action.

The event will take place via the Zooom platform. Shortly before the scheduled date, you will receive the access details. A digital whiteboard may also be used. Therefore, it is recommended that you participate using a laptop or PC, as the display on smartphones or tablets is less suitable due to the smaller screen size.

It is important that you have a working camera and audio, so that you can actively take part in the discussions.

Participation in the exchange session is limited, and registration is only possible as long as places are available.

Are you working with a German implementing organization?

We welcome registrations from local im-plementing partners. Please feel free to share the event and registration link with your local partners with whom you implement projects within the Private Träger funding program, so that we can have a complete overview of the total number of registrations.

Are you registering as a local partner of a German implementing organi-zation?

Please indicate in the registration form which German organization you are implementing Private Träger projects with.

After successful registration, you will receive confirmation of your participation—or notification of a place on the waiting list—after registration closes (November 7, 2025).

Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure that all interested participants have a fair chance to join, please register only if you are certain you can attend.

If you are unable to participate after registering, please inform us in good time at bengo-informationsarbeit@engagement-global.de

, so that your place can be offered to someone on the waiting list.

Thank you for your understanding!