Drawing on new interviews with civil society groups and funders conducted in October – November 2023, the resulting report, Building Through the Backlash, explores how identity-based attacks influence civic organising,  shows the ways in which activists are pushing back against these attacks, and makes a series of recommendations for IDRC to expand their work in this area.  

Our research confirms that identity-based attacks are used as a purposeful strategy to discredit those working to promote the rights of historically oppressed communities. It urges IDRC and other funders to take up a dedicated focus on the relationship between civic space and identity-based attacks, mapping out several knowledge gaps that warrant further investigation – including deeper exploration of the lines of control between states and non-state anti-rights actors. The report also recommends new resources be made available to support activists facing identity-based attacks to engage in collective learning, solidarity and care, and to create spaces where they can explore new ways of challenging the hidden narratives that provide anti-rights actors with power. 

We are proud that our analysis played a key role in shaping IDRC’s strategy for a CAD 3-4 million funding initiative and in guiding the development of their call for proposals: ‘Understanding and addressing backlash against women’s rights, feminist and LGBTQI+ movements and organizations’. If we share common goals and you have a project in mind where our expertise can enhance your work, we’d love to hear from you.

As part of its mission, IDRC commits to publishing all outputs it funds or commissions. You can read the full report here.