Strengthening Civic Space and Environmental Justice through Grassroots Accountability and Protection for Environmental Defenders in Nigeria (CIVIC PROJECT)
The Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD), in partnership with YASIF and other civil society partners, is implementing the CIVIC Project — a collaborative initiative focused on strengthening civic space, advancing environmental justice, promoting grassroots accountability, and protecting environmental defenders across Nigeria.
The project will run from September 2026 to May 2027 with support from CIVICUS.
Project States
The project is being implemented across Rivers, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), bringing together grassroots actors, environmental defenders, community organisations, civil society groups, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen protection mechanisms and promote safer civic participation.
CEPASD’s Area of Implementation — Kaduna State
As a project partner, CEPASD will lead implementation in Kaduna State, with a specific focus on strengthening the protection and early-warning capacity of grassroots environmental defenders.
CEPASD’s intervention in Kaduna will focus on:
- Environmental Defender Protection and Early Warning Systems
- Identification and assessment of risks and threats affecting environmental defenders.
- Strengthening the capacity of environmental defenders to identify, document, and safely report threats.
- Establishing community-based early-warning and reporting mechanisms.
- Supporting the development of safe WhatsApp, SMS, and other reporting channels.
- Training community focal persons to receive, verify, escalate, and track incidents.
- Conducting community sensitisation on environmental defender protection and civic space.
- Testing early-warning mechanisms through practical simulation exercises.
- Strengthening coordination and referral pathways for appropriate protection and response.
- Documenting emerging threats, lessons, and community-level protection needs to support sustained action.
Through this intervention, CEPASD will work directly with grassroots environmental defenders and community actors in Kaduna State to create practical systems that enable them to identify risks early, report threats safely, access appropriate support, and continue their environmental and civic engagement without unnecessary exposure to harm.
Why This Matters
Environmental defenders and grassroots actors often play a critical role in protecting natural resources, advocating for affected communities, documenting environmental concerns, and demanding accountability. However, their work can expose them to intimidation, harassment, digital threats, restrictions on civic participation, and other forms of pressure.
The CIVIC Project seeks to contribute to a civic environment where environmental defenders can participate meaningfully in public life, raise legitimate concerns, and advocate for environmental justice while having access to practical protection and early-warning mechanisms.
A Collaborative Effort
The CIVIC Project brings together CEPASD, YASIF and partner organisations across the project states to strengthen grassroots accountability and protection mechanisms while contributing to a safer and more inclusive civic space for environmental defenders in Nigeria.
From September 2026 to May 2027, partners will work with communities and relevant stakeholders to strengthen local capacities, identify emerging risks, improve reporting and response mechanisms, and generate learning that can contribute to longer-term protection of environmental defenders and civic actors.
Supported by CIVICUS
Project Period: September 2026 – May 2027
Project Coverage: Rivers | Nasarawa | Bayelsa | Kaduna | Abuja (FCT)
CEPASD Implementation State: Kaduna State
Together, we strengthen civic space.
Together, we protect environmental defenders.
Together, we advance environmental justice.
