Civil Society Forum

What Civil Society Forum does

Civil Society Forum e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) headquartered in Berlin, Germany, operating as a membership-based network of 155-157 non-governmental organisations across 21 countries in Wider Europe. Founded as an initiative in 2011 with formal registration in 2017, the Forum operates programmes designed to bridge civil society actors across borders: Berlin Hub (a convening space for changemakers), Berlin Hub for Human Rights Defenders (a specialised protection programme), Europe Lab (an annual leadership programme for young changemakers launched in 2015, with its 10th anniversary held in 2025), Confronting Memories (a historical dialogue programme whose Different Wars exhibition reached 22 cities), and the Solidarity Programme (direct support for HRDs at risk). Additional outputs include the annual State of Civil Society Report, policy papers, and 12+ thematic working groups covering human rights, environment, gender equality, migration, and civic education.

The organisation is staffed by a 26-person Secretariat led by Executive Director Nataliya Novakova, with Co-Chairs André Gerrits and Nikola Mokrović providing governance. The Forum's revenue model is non-commercial: it relies on tax-deductible donations, membership contributions, and institutional grants from funders including the European Union, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (TRANSITION programme), and Foundation West-East Encounters. Its go-to-market is community-led — engaging member organisations through direct outreach, working groups, events, and digital channels (website, Mailchimp newsletter in English and Russian, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Bluesky). The technology stack is operational SaaS only (Zoom, Luma, Stripe, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, IONOS, SeaTable, CryptPad) with no proprietary platforms or AI capabilities. CSF's differentiation rests on the density of its pan-European network, recurring programmatic cadence, and trust capital built through operating in restricted civic spaces.

Name

Civil Society Forum

Legal name

Civil Society Forum e.V.

Website

https://csf-ev.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Civil Society Forum e.V. is a Berlin-based non-profit network of 155-157 NGOs across 21 countries in Wider Europe, running programmes including Berlin Hub, Europe Lab, Confronting Memories, and HRD solidarity to support civil society and human rights defenders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civil Society Network and Advocacy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Civil Society Strengthening & Civic Space (BPADAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Civil Liberties & Constitutional Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAA), Transitional Justice, Accountability & Reparations (BPADAGAL), Nonprofit, Social Services & Community Development Congresses (THAHAJAO), Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Civil society network
• Human rights advocacy
• Cross-border solidarity
• Democracy support
• NGO capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and membership contributions: The Civil Society Forum is recognised as a non-profit organisation. Donations are tax-deductible and donation receipts are issued on request. The Forum's revenue is derived from voluntary donations, membership contributions, and likely programme/project funding from institutional donors (foundations, governments, EU institutions), though specific funding details are not publicly disclosed on the website.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Civil Society Forum is a non-profit membership network of 155-157 non-governmental organisations across 21 countries in Wider Europe, providing peer learning, joint advocacy, cross-border solidarity, and collaborative programmes for civil society actors. Its core offerings include the Berlin Hub (collaborative space for changemakers), Europe Lab (annual leadership programme for young changemakers), Confronting Memories (historical dialogue programme), annual State of Civil Society Report, Policy Papers, and a Solidarity Programme that provides emergency aid, psychological support, and safe spaces for human rights defenders at risk.

Product overview

The Civil Society Forum is a network of non-governmental organisations operating across Wider Europe with a portfolio of interconnected programmes and initiatives. The core offerings include Berlin Hub (a collaborative space for changemakers), Europe Lab (a leadership programme for young professionals), Confronting Memories (a historical dialogue programme), and the annual State of Civil Society Report. These are supported by thematic Working Groups, a Solidarity Programme for human rights defenders, advocacy initiatives, and the Annual Conference. The network connects 157 member organisations from 21 countries working across diverse fields including human rights, environmental protection, and gender equality.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Berlin Hub A dynamic collaborative space that brings together changemakers including artists, activists, scientists, journalists and exiled leaders to foster connections, dialogue, and innovative solutions. Operates through hosting diverse communities with storytelling, performances, and interactive workshops. Aimed at civil society actors across Wider Europe.
• Berlin Hub for Human Rights Defenders A specialised branch of Berlin Hub focused on providing safe spaces, support networks, and policy advocacy for human rights defenders facing transnational repression and other threats in Europe.
• Europe Lab An annual leadership programme for young changemakers aged 20s-30s, combining networking, project development workshops, and site visits at European memory sites. Participants can apply for mini-grants to implement projects in their communities. Accommodation, meals, and event costs are fully covered.
• Confronting Memories A programme exploring historical memory that creates space for meaningful dialogue on 20th and 21st century history. Includes exhibitions, lesson materials, and capacity-building for history teachers as ambassadors.
• State of Civil Society Report An annual publication analysing the state of civil societies across Wider Europe, developed in collaboration with members, partners and international experts. Examines challenges and issues affecting civil society.
• Policy Papers Policy papers developed with members and partners providing recommendations to EU institutions and national governments on strengthening commitment to rule of law and human rights.
• Solidarity Programme Support programme providing direct assistance to civil society actors and human rights defenders facing threats or pressure, including emergency aid, psychological support, and safe spaces.
• Annual Conference Annual cornerstone event moving across Europe, bringing together members and partners to reconnect, exchange ideas, and strengthen shared work on civil society and democracy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 155-157 member organisations from 21 countries united in the network
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• QuarteeracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2026CSF partnered with Quarteera to develop a Policy Paper on 'The Anti-Gender Shift in Europe' with the CSF Working Group on Gender Equality. Quarteera presented findings and speakers from Italy, Georgia and Russia shared perspectives.
• Certi Diritti (Italy)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2026Speaker from Certi Diritti (Italy) shared perspectives on anti-gender shift in Europe at the January 2026 CSF online discussion, alongside Quarteera and CSF Working Group on Gender Equality.
• ComingOut Initiative (Russia)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2026Speaker from ComingOut Initiative (Russia) shared perspectives on anti-gender shift and local civil society resistance in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
• EUROPEUM Institute for European PolicycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2025Collaborated with CSF on the online discussion 'Is the Democracy Shield Enough to Regain Control of the EU's Online Space?' alongside FOJO Media Institute, Roskomsvoboda, and Digital Rights Center. EUROPEUM moderated the debate.
• TRANSITION (Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner and sponsor of Europe Lab 2025 (10th anniversary edition), contributing to funding and support for the annual leadership programme for young changemakers.
• Foundation West–East EncounterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner and sponsor of Europe Lab 2025, supporting the annual leadership and networking programme for young civil society professionals from Wider Europe.
• European UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Funder and partner of Europe Lab 2025, providing support for the annual programme and related activities for young changemakers across Wider Europe.
• Democracy & Belonging ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with CSF's Berlin Hub to co-host 'Belonging Without Othering: Stories, Conversations and Community in Berlin' event in July 2026, bringing together scholar and thought leader John A. Powell (Director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley) for an evening of dialogue on belonging and community.
• European Philanthropic Initiative on Migration (EPIM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the Berlin Hub event 'Belonging Without Othering' alongside CSF and Democracy & Belonging Forum, focusing on migration, belonging, and community building in Berlin.
• FOJO Media InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert partner in the 'Democracy Shield' online discussion, contributing perspectives on media freedom and democratic resilience in Central and Eastern Europe.
• RoskomsvobodaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert partner in the 'Democracy Shield' online discussion, contributing digital rights and internet freedom expertise from the Russian context.
• Digital Rights CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert partner in the 'Democracy Shield' online discussion, contributing digital rights expertise to the EU online space protection debate.
• Das Progressive ZentrumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided expert input for Europe Lab 2025 (10th anniversary edition held in Weimar), contributing perspectives on far-right populism and climate politics alongside the main workshop programme.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• ECAS (European Citizen Action Service): Brussels-based NGO empowering citizens and civil society in EU decision-making; comparable in EU-level civil society capacity-building and rights advocacy, though with a more service-delivery orientation.

Direct peers

• European Civic Forum: Brussels-based pan-European network of civil society organisations active in democracy, citizenship and civic space — directly comparable in mission, member-network model, and Wider-Europe geographic focus.
• European Alternatives: Pan-European civil society organisation promoting democracy, equality and culture across borders; directly comparable in transnational civil society organising and citizen engagement across Europe.
• EU-Russia Civil Society Forum: A predecessor/parallel network bridging EU and Russian civil society actors; directly comparable as a pan-European civil-society forum with a similar bridging and solidarity mission (now largely operating from exile).
• Civil Society Europe: EU-level platform representing civil society organisations in Brussels policy debates; directly comparable as a civil-society network engaging EU institutions on democracy, rights and the rule of law.
• International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR): Brussels-based NGO working on human rights across the OSCE region; CSF is a member organisation. Directly comparable in operating model (NGO network, Wider Europe, human rights focus) and target civil society audience.
• Human Rights House Network: Network of independent Human Rights Houses supporting HRDs and civil society across multiple countries; closely comparable in protecting at-risk HRDs and providing safe collaborative spaces across Wider Europe.

Broad incumbents

• European Endowment for Democracy: EU-established funding body supporting civil society and pro-democracy actors in the European neighbourhood; comparable mission and constituency though operates as a funder rather than a member network.
• Open Society European Policy Institute: Brussels-based policy arm of Open Society focused on EU democracy and rights; comparable advocacy remit but as part of a much larger foundation portfolio rather than a member-driven network.
• European Movement International: Largest pan-European civil society network advocating for European integration; broader historical scope but similar membership-network model and EU-institution advocacy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@csfberlin
• Facebookfacebook.com/csfevberlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/csfberlin
• Instagraminstagram.com/csfberlin

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Civil Society Forum