Abstract
Civil society groups, in all their diversity, contribute to the creation of peaceful, just, equal and sustainable societies in myriad ways: as sources of innovation and solutions to pressing problems, as service providers for equity, as watchdogs over public resources and more. But they continue to face an onslaught of attacks and civic space restrictions in most countries. This article examines three key research and analysis initiatives developed over a decade by CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, to help shine a spotlight on civic participation and freedoms, and the challenges and opportunities that gave rise to each and that helped shape a growing focus on civil society narratives.