Issue 5/2025: On shaky ground
How NGOs in the region survive against the odds
September 27, 2025 -
New Eastern Europe
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Issue 5 2025Magazine
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More than three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the countries of Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus continue to face the legacy of authoritarianism and fragile democratic institutions. In this context, civil society has emerged as a space where citizens negotiate power, demand accountability, and strive to shape their collective futures.
This issue brings together critical reflections on the current state of civil society and the NGO sector in Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine and Serbia. While each country follows its own political trajectory, the authors highlight a shared concern: democratic backsliding, repression of civic actors, and dependence on external funding. Yet, they also reveal stories of resilience, dignity, and transformative civic engagement that continue to shape the democratic aspirations of these societies.
One of the most urgent concerns is the financial vulnerability of civil society organisations. The recent cut in USAID support has intensified fears about long-term sustainability and autonomy. However, funding is only one facet of a broader struggle. Weak institutional frameworks, limited political commitment to democratic norms, and mounting external pressures, particularly from authoritarian neighbors, further constrain the ability of civil society to fulfill its watchdog role.
This reality is most acute in Belarus and Azerbaijan, where civil society faces near-total suppression. Georgia, once being a beacon of reform, now shows democratic decline. Moldova’s democratic transition remains precarious. Internal governance challenges and external threats – particularly from Russia – have placed immense strain on civil society. In contrast, Ukraine stands out as a testament to civic resilience. The full-scale Russian invasion has not weakened civil society, but strengthened it. Serbia adds a compelling dimension to this narrative. Despite an entrenched authoritarian regime, student protests have reignited civic resistance, advocating for justice, academic freedom, and government accountability.
Beyond that, this issue closes with a special section dedicated to NATO after this past summer’s summit in The Hague. Our authors highlight the real security challenges the region faces and what it will take to overcome them.
Contents
On shaky ground
Resistance, resilience, recovery. Ukraine’s civil society in wartime Liza Bezvershenko
Georgian civil society forced into survival mode Nino Lezhava
Can Belarusian civil society survive and even pose a threat to the dictatorship? Zmicier Mickievič
Democracy in Moldova. Can civil society deliver? Alexandru Fordea
Strengthening the civil society’s resilience in Serbia Sofija Popović
Civil society in Armenia. From peak to decline in advocacy Arshaluis Mgdesyan
Silenced by law. How Azerbaijan uses legislation to crush dissent Zumrud Pashayeva
Essays and analysis
Russia’s long game in Africa and Latin America Alice Volfson
Russian cultural diplomacy in Germany. Between promoting Russia and undermining Ukraine Maria Protsiuk
Italy and Russia. A never-ending love story Aleksej Tilman
Europe’s heavy cost of dependency Raze Baziani and Mattis Körber
The disfigured spectrum. How post-communist legacies distort conservatism and democracy Tamar Gamkrelidze
Trump’s “Reverse Kissinger” is wishful thinking Lucinda Ritchie
The EU-US policy divide over Belarus Vitali Matyshau
Interviews
Neither Kaczyński, nor Tusk Who gets the vote of the Polish youth? An interview with Paweł Marczewski
When values were trampled on, Austria was never neutral An interview with Alexander Schallenberg
Stories and ideas
Low water, high stakes in Poland Photo-story by Omar Marques
Hospitality in practice. How does Estonia support Ukrainian refugees? Nino Chanadiri
Russian mall shutdown sparks uproar and confusion James C. Pearce
Art, culture and society
Belarusian folklore as a language of expression during repressions Maria Badzei
History and memory
Gdańsk’s heritage and reconstruction after the war Błażej Kowacz
NATO at the crossroads. After the Hague Summit
Built with doubt and worry. NATO in the second Trump presidency Alexander Lanoszka
NATO during the second Trump administration. Actions speak louder than words Luca Ratti
When European security meets reality Artur Gruszczak
NATO in times of crisis. Safeguarding the future of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance Wojciech Michnik
Not all quiet on the Southern Flank Michele Testoni
Beyond nuclear gradualism. Pathways for NATO to enhance deterrence Alessandro Leonardi
Beyond compromise. Towards the Europeanization of NATO’s Eastern Flank Eoin Micheál McNamara
