ECNL publications: Practical guidance for CSOs on how to engage with key global digital policy processes and standardisation bodies
European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) has published two sets of publications as part of the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) initiative, designed to help civil society navigate global digital governance more effectively.
The first publication, titled ‘Navigating key global digital governance processes: Practical handbook for civil society organisations’ is a handbook that maps seven key international processes shaping digital policy and human rights. It provides the reader with a clear overview of how institutions such as the UN General Assembly, Human Rights Council, WSIS, IGF, the High-Level Political Forum, the UN Open-Ended Working Group on cyber issues, and the Freedom Online Coalition influence global norms. Each section outlines upcoming opportunities, participation channels, and practical steps for organisations seeking to engage meaningfully in these spaces.
The second publication, composed of four individual explainers, focuses on four technical standardisation and governance bodies that play a central role in the functioning of the internet: the Internet Governance Forum, ICANN, ITU, and the IETF. It explains how these institutions work, the formal and informal entry points for civil society, and what newcomers should expect in terms of rules, fees, and language requirements. The guidance is designed as a starting point for organisations unfamiliar with these often-technical environments, offering step-by-step advice and pointing to existing resources rather than duplicating them.
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Together, these publications aim to lower barriers for civil society participation in both policy-oriented and technical arenas. By providing easy-to-understand explanations and practical direction, they aim to encourage more organisations to engage with the institutions that shape the digital landscape and to contribute informed perspectives to global debates about the future of technology and rights.
