Civic participation is the participation of citizens, groups, and non-governmental organisations in addressing issues of public concern through different means. It can be both directly or indirectly related to decision-making and is not limited to any particular type of participation.
Civic participation is closely intertwined with democracy and human rights. In order for a democracy to develop, it needs constant input from the public. Such contributions must also be in harmony with human rights standards that govern the role of the individual in the civic space. For this reason, that civic participation and the ways in which it is implemented are becoming increasingly important over time.
About this section
This section of the Guide explains what civic participation is, which human rights protect the right to civic participation, and how it may be restricted.