Hivos is seeking a qualified consultant to conduct a survey on the EU SEE network members as a follow up to the 2025 survey on the US Funding Freeze.

About the EU SEE

The EU System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) is a global initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium of civil society organizations. The program aims to monitor, protect, and strengthen the Enabling Environment (EE) for civil society. Within the program, the enabling environment refers to the legal, political, institutional and societal conditions that shape the ability of civil society to organize, access resources, express themselves freely, and participate in public decision-making.

The initiative brings together civil society organizations across 86 countries and has two main components: a Monitoring and Early Warning Mechanism (MEWM) that documents changes and sheds light on critical trends in the enabling environment for civil society, and a Flexible Support Mechanism (FSM) that provides funding to civil society in need. 

Background, objectives, deliverables and timeline

In 2025, the EU SEE conducted a survey on the impact of the US Funding Freeze on its Network Members in response to the funding cuts at a time when the EU SEE was taking shape. The findings of the survey were integrated with similar results on the impact of the funding cuts on civil society developed by ICVA and Accountability Lab/Humena.

Since the 2025 survey, the international development cooperation landscape has continued to shift significantly. The impact on civil society is no longer limited to the initial US funding freeze, but now includes wider donor budget cuts, changes in donor priorities, reduced predictability of support, shifts away from flexible grant-based funding, and broader political changes in the global cooperation system. These trends risk weakening civil society’s ability to operate independently, access sustainable resources, engage in public decision-making, and respond to community needs.

So, one year on, the EU SEE is planning to conduct a follow-up survey that will assess the ways in which funding restrictions from donors and shifts in global cooperation are affecting civil society. This follow-up research will therefore assess not only the direct financial impact of funding cuts, but also the wider implications for the enabling environment for civil society, including operational autonomy, civic space, public trust, diplomatic support, legal and regulatory pressures, and the ability of CSOs to participate meaningfully in policy processes.

Timeline of the project

• 6 July – Submission of inception report.
• 24 July – Submission of first draft of survey findings and analysis.
• 31 July – Submission of final analytical report.

Expression of interest

Download the full Terms of Reference here. Interested consultants are invited to submit an expression of interest that includes:

• A proposal outlining the approach or methodology and work plan.
• Updated CV of the consultant clearly demonstrates relevant experience and background.
• Financial offer

Submissions should be made to eusee-info@hivos.org before 12 June 2026.