UNDEF CSO Round Table during the 70th session of the CSW

On 13 March 2026, during the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) convened a round table discussion with civil society partners at UN Headquarters in New York. The event brought together 15 representatives from ten civil society organizations from Asia, Africa, and Latin America that have implemented UNDEF‑supported projects across funding cycles—from the Fund’s inception to its most recent round.

Participants shared experiences from their work on women’s empowerment, civic participation, climate justice, and community-level advocacy, highlighting how UNDEF support has contributed to measurable, long-term impact in diverse and often challenging contexts. The exchange underscored the role of localized, community-driven initiatives in advancing democratic engagement and inclusive governance, particularly where civic space is under pressure.

The round table also provided a space for reflection on the evolving environment for civil society. Organizations discussed the challenges posed by shrinking civic space and proposed strategies such as partnership building, strengthened monitoring and evaluation, local resource mobilization, and movement building to sustain advocacy. Participants further explored ideas for future collaboration, including clustering organizations by theme, supporting impactful coalitions, enhancing storytelling and impact communication, and promoting localization. The discussion also addressed the opportunities and risks associated with engaging the private sector and smaller organizations.