Future of civil society

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The recent history of Central Europe has been significantly shaped by the re-emergence of civil society, which represents organized citizen activity beyond state and market boundaries. This resurgence has been pivotal to transformative events over the past two decades, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Soviet empire, the revival of market economies, the establishment of democratic governance, and the re-integration of Europe. Furthermore, the revival of civil society in this region has elevated its global standing, enhancing visibility and credibility, and shifting its image from an ineffectual entity to a powerful force for social, economic, and political change. However, despite these accomplishments, the civil society sector in Central Europe, particularly in Visegrad countries, remains fragile—underfunded, understaffed, and not fully integrated into the existing political and economic frameworks. There seems to be an ongoing struggle to reconcile new civil society institutions with a history marked by extensive state welfare provision and a rich legacy of civic engagement. This earlier history of civil society organization and voluntary action has largely faded from contemporary discourse.