In 2015, the idea of the Prague Civil Society Centre became a reality. What began as a small office in central Prague was driven by a clear purpose: to support changemakers working in some of Eastern Europe and Central Asia’s most repressive environments. Over the past decade, that mission has grown in both scale and ambition. Today, we are proud to be one of Europe’s leading supporters of democratic changemakers and independent media for the Eastern neighbourhood.
Eastern Europe
How is Russian independent media doing a year after the USAID shutdown
A year after sweeping cuts to US democracy assistance and the dissolution of USAID, the impact is still being felt. Independent media worldwide have seen funding slashed – among them Russian outlets that serve as vital information lifelines for millions, even as their...
Independent media support as key to defending civic space
Strategic investment in media is not an optional add-on to democracy support, our Executive Director argues in his article about civil society.
Unlock 2026: Application deadline extended!
Did you miss the deadline for Unlock 2026? Good news — we’re now opening an additional application round!
Nobelista Ales Bjaljacki na návštěvě v Praze
Nositel Nobelovy ceny míru za rok 2022 a jeden z nejvýraznějších představitelů běloruského disentu Ales Bjaljacki přijel do Prahy na pozvání Kanceláře demokratických sil Běloruska v ČR a Prague Civil Society Centre. Jde o jeho první cestu do Česka po propuštění z...
Four years of full-scale war: Expert discussion examined paths to justice for Ukraine
“Anniversaries are moments not only for reflection, but for resolve. They remind us that this war is not over, that its consequences are not abstract, and that solidarity must be sustained,” noted our Director of Outreach & Communications, George Leech, as we...
Returning the Names of those who lost their lives to Soviet terror
On the eve of Russia’s Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Political Repression, people around the world commemorate the names and stories of those who lost their lives to Soviet terror. Among the millions of victims of Soviet state terror were thousands of Czechs and Czechoslovak citizens. By reading their names together, we honour their memory.
From reaction to action: Unlock your initiative!
Do you want to connect with others who are finding innovative, creative ways to stay relevant and push for change under pressure? Are you an activist, journalist, content creator, or innovator pushing back against disinformation and shaping new narratives? Then Unlock 2026 is for you!
Prague Civil Society Centre to support exiled Russian and Belarusian journalists
The Prague Civil Society Centre will continue supporting established independent Russian and Belarusian media working in exile in the EU which maintain significant audiences back home through the Free Media Hub EAST. The European Commission’s project led by the Prague...
Five years of stolen elections in Belarus: Testimony
In August 2020, an overwhelming number of Belarusians cast their ballots for opposition candidate, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, hoping for change. Daniil, a young Belarusian student, was among them. He was 18, and this was his first presidential election. Alexander...
Deutsche Welle: Spotlight on journalists in the post-Soviet space
“Big powers don’t care much about international rules – they just care about their own interests. This creates a much more dangerous world – with more tension, conflict, and war,” our Executive Director Rostislav Valvoda told Deutsche Welle’s podcast Inside Europe on the sidelines of our annual Unlock civic summit Unlock.
Političtí vězni nejsou minulostí, připomíná výstava
Svoboda a demokracie nejsou samozřejmostí. Metody represe a útlaku, které používal Sovětský svaz a jeho komunistické satelity, se dnes opakují v politice současného Ruska a dalších nedemokratických režimů.