Groundbreaking survey finds how deep funding cuts affected African CSOs

With support from Firelight, EPIC-Africa released From Fragility to Fortitude, a groundbreaking survey of how the year’s deep funding cuts affected African civil society organizations (CSOs).

The cuts triggered an unprecedented crisis for CSOs that deliver essential services in health, education, livelihoods, and human rights. They not only destabilized directly funded CSOs but rippled across networks, coalitions, and grassroots partners dependent on shared resources.

To understand the depth and nature of the crisis, EPIC-Africa and @AfricanNGOs surveyed over 500 African CSOs across 42 countries during March and April 2025.

From Fragility to Fortitude captures the scope and human impact of the funding crisis, revealing widespread service cuts, program closures, and threats to organizational survival. It marks the first continent-wide effort to document and understand its consequences.

Importantly, the report also showcases CSOs’ resilience, adaptation strategies, and calls for a reimagined, African-led approach to sustainable financing.

We invite you to access the report from EPIC-Africa.