From shrinking civic space and rising authoritarianism to declining trust and perceived legitimacy, civil society is under threat.
INGOs face growing questions about whose voices they represent and whether they still have the mandate to lead. At the same time, younger generations and grassroots movements are redefining activism, representation, and power.
Now, with institutional funding and foreign aid (including USAID) being slashed, the pressure to justify the existence of our organisations and demonstrate real value is mounting. As traditional models falter, can civil society close the gap and claim a renewed and reimagined role?
This session will explore how we can reclaim our voice and legitimacy as a sector in a fractured and rapidly changing world. How do we move beyond fragmented narratives and truly reflect the communities we claim to serve? And what does the future look like?
IFC 2025 will feature five of these high-impact, immersive, and solution-focused Big Topic sessions designed to challenge our assumptions, kindle new ideas, and drive collective action. Outcomes from each session will feed into sector-wide recommendations, culminating in the IFC Manifesto for Change.