CADE report baseline study: Baseline and recommendations: Civil society organisation engagement in multilateral and multistakeholder internet governance processes

Executive Summary 

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are a vital link between technical infrastructure and real-world impact. Their ability to amplify marginalised voices, champion human rights, and foster accountability is unparalleled. Enhancing CSO participation in internet governance (IG) spaces is not just about increasing numbers; it is about fostering meaningful, impactful engagement that shapes the future of the internet.

The Baseline and Recommendations detail the analytical findings of the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) research study ‘Mapping Civil Society Organisation Engagement in Multilateral and Multistakeholder Internet Governance Processes’ that carried out an in-depth investigation of the essential question of how to improve CSO participation in IG spaces. The recommendations build on the mapping study, which identified gaps and opportunities.

The Baseline and Recommendations present two sets of recommendations: The first is aimed at stakeholders who can or should help strengthen CSO participation in IG. The second identifies actionable interventions designed to be implemented by CADE. The recommendations address critical challenges, opportunities, and capacity needs around four core themes identified during the mapping study:

Enhancing participation in IG spaces: This theme addresses the need to move beyond mere numerical representation to foster impactful engagement. Key recommendations include investing in capacity building and strengthening the understanding of the various IG processes, mechanisms and modalities for participation. This is especially key for new CSOs exploring contributions to these forums and spaces. As technology evolves, remote participation has significantly contributed to reducing and overcoming geographical barriers. As such, investing in user-friendly, low-bandwidth technologies for participation is key. In addition, implementing robust, real-time translation and interpretation services across all IG forums and key documents to ensure language inclusivity and wider representation is equally crucial. Lastly, facilitating strategic coalition building to amplify civil society voices and create unified fronts for advocacy.

Media engagement and awareness raising: This theme underscores the importance of leveraging media to educate the public and amplify CSO voices on crucial IG issues. Key recommendations include cultivating long-term partnerships with the media sector, including journalists and content developers, and covering technology and policy issues. The theme also focuses on simplifying complex technical jargon into accessible language for broader public understanding. Lastly, it creates compelling narratives and utilises storytelling to humanise technical issues and engage diverse audiences.

Best practices for localisation and digital inclusion: This theme focuses on ensuring that IG processes are contextually relevant and inclusive. Key recommendations include strengthening regional and national IG forums as vital spaces for communities to articulate their unique challenges and develop contextually relevant solutions. It also addresses prioritising universal access and digital literacy in IG agendas to bridge the digital divide. In addition, it emphasises fostering collaborative partnerships and creating spaces for multistakeholder engagement at the local level.

Practical strategies for enhancing CSO capacity and effectiveness: Key recommendations include developing targeted, modular training programmes to address the technical complexity of IG issues and enhance CSO knowledge. Establishing sustainable funding mechanisms to ensure consistent CSO participation in IG processes. The theme also focuses on implementing inclusive processes and representation measures, such as quotas and accessibility measures, to ensure diverse voices are heard and considered, moving beyond token inclusion.

These recommendations and best practices can significantly improve CSO representation and effectiveness of the IG ecosystem. These efforts will contribute to shaping a future where the internet serves the global community, ensuring that diverse voices, particularly those from the Global South, are heard and considered in decision-making processes. The CADE project is positioned to play a vital role in facilitating this transformation, empowering CSOs to become key drivers in shaping a more equitable and inclusive digital future.