CIVIL – Center for Freedom is an independent, non-profit civil society organization dedicated to defending democracy, protecting fundamental rights and freedoms, and strengthening democratic resilience in the face of authoritarianism, disinformation, and hybrid threats.

Founded in 1999 and developed through more than 26 years of continuous work, CIVIL has evolved from a national human rights organization into a regional and international actor working at the intersection of democracy protection, election integrity, media freedom, freedom of expression, and countering disinformation and foreign interference.

A core part of CIVIL’s work focuses on analysing, exposing, and countering disinformation, far-right propaganda, authoritarian narratives, and hybrid operations originating from authoritarian centres of power at the global and regional levels. CIVIL has developed and applies original monitoring, analytical, and reporting methodologies, combining media and narrative analysis, open-source intelligence, field monitoring, and cross-platform tracking with long-term contextual research. These are complemented by comprehensive approaches to civic awareness, media literacy, and public education designed to strengthen societal resilience against manipulation and polarisation.

CIVIL is openly and actively committed to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, the organization has taken a clear public stance in defence of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democratic future, and against war crimes, propaganda, and attempts to relativise or legitimise aggression. In a region where ambiguity and false neutrality are widespread, CIVIL’s position has been consistent, visible, and principled.

CIVIL works across four closely connected areas: defending democratic institutions and values; ensuring the integrity of elections and public accountability; protecting media freedom and freedom of expression; and countering disinformation, propaganda, and hybrid threats. The organization integrates monitoring, investigative and analytical work, media production, public communication, policy engagement, civic education, and international cooperation into a single, coherent practice.

CIVIL operates at the national, regional, and international levels and cooperates with partners across Europe and beyond, including civil society organisations, independent media, academic institutions, and democratic policy networks. CIVIL is a co-founder of the Defending Democracy Global Initiative (DDGI) and an active participant in transnational efforts to strengthen democratic resilience, counter authoritarian influence, and support societies under pressure.

In practice, CIVIL represents a rare integrated model in which active citizenship, think-tank capacity, and independent media function within one organisational structure. This allows the organisation to connect research with real-time monitoring, analysis with public communication, and policy work with citizen engagement — and to respond quickly, credibly, and independently to emerging risks to democracy.

Rooted in human rights and freedoms, CIVIL’s mission today is to protect the democratic space itself — the institutions, the information environment, public trust, and civic capacities without which rights cannot be exercised and freedoms cannot survive. Through its work, CIVIL seeks to contribute to informed public debate, accountable governance, and a democratic culture resilient enough to withstand manipulation, coercion, and authoritarian pressure.

 

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Organisational Units
In 2009, as part of its institutional development, CIVIL established three dedicated organisational units in order to strengthen its thematic work and public engagement: CIVIL MEDIA, Green CIVIL, and CIVIL Art. These units operate within CIVIL’s organisational framework and share its values and mission, while focusing on distinct fields of work and outreach.

About CIVIL MEDIA

CIVIL MEDIA is the media and publishing platform of CIVIL – Center for Freedom. Established as an organisational unit in 2009, it operates as a multilingual, nonprofit news and media production platform dedicated to freedom of expression, media freedom, and independent, public-interest journalism.

CIVIL MEDIA produces original reporting, analysis, commentary, and multimedia content in multiple languages, with a focus on democracy, human rights, disinformation, authoritarian influence, and hybrid threats. It serves both as a public information platform and as a core component of CIVIL’s monitoring, analysis, and outreach work.

About Green CIVIL

Green CIVIL is CIVIL’s environmental and sustainability platform, dedicated to promoting green values, environmental protection, climate action, circular economy, and social and environmental justice.

Green CIVIL combines research, advocacy, public communication, and civic education to raise awareness of environmental challenges and to promote sustainable and responsible policies and practices. It also operates a dedicated green media platform, www.greencivil.mk, focused on environmental issues, climate change, and sustainable development.

About CIVIL Art

CIVIL Art is CIVIL’s cultural and creative unit, dedicated to using arts and culture as tools for civic education, public awareness, and social engagement.

Through exhibitions, performances, publications, and collaborations with artists and cultural institutions, CIVIL Art promotes social responsibility in the arts and supports artistic expression that engages with social, political, and human rights issues.