On 5-6 August 2024, the Civic Advisory Hub, Defenders Protection Initiative, and Spaces for Change hosted a regional conference in Kampala, Uganda, focusing on the theme "Together-Countering the Financing of Terrorism While Safeguarding Civic Space in Africa." The event brought together 140 delegates, including government experts, civil society organizations, and international bodies, to discuss the challenges of combating terrorism financing while preserving the operational space for civic engagement across the continent.
 
Discussions highlighted the exclusion of civil society organizations from counter-financing terrorism dialogues, the adverse effects of de-risking practices on non-profit organizations, and the increasing securitization of civic space across several African nations.
 
Civil society representatives at the event stressed the need for more inclusive and transparent frameworks that respect human rights while effectively countering terrorism. With calls for context-specific risk assessments and greater involvement of civil society organizations, the conference underscored the critical role of civil society in addressing the root causes of terrorism.
 
For a detailed overview of the conference, read the full report here.