From April 21–23, 2026, global civil society leaders, policymakers, donors, and development practitioners will gather in Ottawa, Canada, for the Igniting Hope – Inaugural Ottawa Civic Space Summit.
Organized by Resilient Societies and Cooperation Canada, the summit aims to mobilize international actors to protect civic space and strengthen democratic participation worldwide.
Civic space – the environment that allows people to organize, express opinions, and participate in public life — is increasingly under pressure in many parts of the world. Challenges range from digital surveillance and restrictive legislation to the silencing of activists and declining public trust.
The Ottawa Civic Space Summit will provide a global platform for dialogue and collaboration, bringing together civil society organizations, governments, donors, media, academia, and private sector representatives.
Participants will discuss strategies to defend civic freedoms, strengthen collaboration across sectors, and explore new tools and approaches to support inclusive democratic engagement.
The event will also examine how civic space contributes to progress across areas such as human rights, gender equality, climate action, education, and humanitarian response.
Through interactive discussions and knowledge exchange, the summit aims to build partnerships and generate solutions to protect and expand civic participation globally.
