The seminar opens with an exploration of the socio-political landscape of the region. This session sets the stage by examining the critical role of civil society and the diverse contexts they operate within. Participants will gain an understanding of governance systems, state-civil society relationships, and the geopolitical pressures shaping their environments.

The narrative then shifts to the core challenges that civil society faces under these shadows. Armed conflicts, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine and unresolved territorial disputes in other parts of the region, create an unstable and often dangerous operational environment. Political turmoil, including authoritarian regimes and resistance to democratic reforms, further compounds these difficulties. Governance issues, particularly systemic corruption and the concentration of power among oligarchs, present additional barriers to the effectiveness and legitimacy of CSOs. In many cases, civil society is left to fill the void left by weak or absent state services, which stretches their capacities and resources to the limit.