Why Is Civic Space Important?

One of the defining characteristics of a democratic society is that every citizen has the freedom to express their views, make their voice heard, associate with others, and participate in public life. The environment that enables this freedom is commonly referred to as civic space.

Civil society extends far beyond non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It encompasses all forms of voluntary collective action through which people come together to pursue shared interests, values, and goals. This includes NGOs, professional associations, community groups, volunteer movements, and many other civic actors.

The Constitution of Mongolia guarantees citizens the rights to freedom of association, freedom of expression, access to information, and participation in public affairs. Civil society organizations play a vital role in turning these rights into reality by helping citizens engage in public life and by serving as an important bridge between communities and decision-makers.

Today, Mongolia has more than 24,000 registered non-governmental organizations, which form a significant part of the country's civil society sector. These organizations work across a wide range of fields, including human rights, education, health, environmental protection, child welfare, disability rights, transparency, and anti-corruption. Through research, public awareness-raising, policy advocacy, and citizen engagement, they contribute to protecting the public interest and addressing social challenges.

According to Transparency International, effective and sustainable anti-corruption efforts cannot rely solely on laws and institutional reforms. When corruption becomes systemic, approaches based on citizen participation, public oversight, and collective action become essential. In this process, civil society organizations play a crucial role by creating opportunities for citizens to demand transparency and accountability from public institutions.

Civil society organizations also help bridge the accountability gap between citizens and government institutions. They identify public concerns and needs, communicate them to policymakers, and enable citizens to monitor the implementation of decisions and policies. In doing so, they contribute to building more open, inclusive, and accountable governance.

In recent years, Transparency International Mongolia has worked closely with civil society organizations to promote citizen participation, transparency, and accountability. One recent example is its collaboration with the Mongolian National Federation of the Blind.

Through this partnership, a survey was conducted in 10 provinces involving more than 200 citizens with visual impairments to assess their opportunities to participate in local decision-making processes, access public services, and obtain information. The study was among the first of its kind in Mongolia.

Its findings revealed persistent challenges, including limited opportunities for participation, inadequate access to information, physical and institutional barriers, and insufficient consideration of citizens’ views in decision-making processes. These conditions can weaken transparency and accountability mechanisms and potentially increase corruption risks.

At the same time, the study demonstrated the strong willingness of people with visual impairments to participate in social and public life. This highlights the potential for developing more inclusive and participatory policies and practices.

Building on this work, Transparency International Mongolia is currently conducting a nationwide survey involving approximately 1,400 persons with disabilities in partnership with the General Authority for Development of Persons with Disabilities. The findings will be shared with the public, policymakers, and decision-makers to help ensure that citizens’ voices are reflected in policies and decisions.

Civic space is not only about civil society organizations. It is about creating opportunities for people to exercise their rights, express their views freely, make their voices heard, and participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Civil society organizations help amplify citizens’ concerns and aspirations while advocating for transparency, accountability, and public interest.

In a democratic society, it is essential that civil society organizations can operate independently, speak out on issues of public concern, contribute to informed public debate, and, when necessary, call on decision-makers to be transparent and accountable. As citizen participation and civic engagement increase, public institutions become more transparent and responsive, corruption risks decrease, and the foundations for good governance and an inclusive society are strengthened.

Protecting and strengthening civic space is therefore not only a matter for civil society organizations. It is directly linked to every citizen’s right to be heard, to participate in public affairs, and to safeguard the public interest. Ensuring that civil society organizations can operate independently and that citizens can freely express their views remains a fundamental condition for democracy, good governance, and the fight against corruption.

Written by: Zoljargal Byambadorj