Civic space at the frontlines

Both ENDS

Environmental Defenders and the Role of International Trade and Investment Policy

Stichting Both ENDS

Both ENDS invites you to an interactive dialogue with experts from the UN, policy, academia, and civil society on environmental defenders and international trade. Together, we will explore how citizens, policymakers, academics, and activists can defend civic space and support those on the frontlines of environmental and human rights struggles. With a focus on the Netherlands’ role in international trade and investment policy, and drawing on the experiences of activists from the Philippines, the event aims to foster solidarity and identify strategic priorities to better protect environmental defenders amid the global crackdown on civic space Date &amp; Time: Monday, 16 February 2026, 15:00–18:00 Location: Both ENDS Office, Nobelstraat 2, Utrecht Around the world—both within and beyond the EU—environmental and human rights defenders face growing repression amid rising authoritarianism and shrinking civic space. Extractive and infrastructure projects, which often cause displacement and environmental harm, have become flashpoints for intimidation, criminalisation, and violence. These risks are closely linked to the trade and investment policies of EU countries, particularly amid global geopolitical competition and the scramble for resources. How these policies are pursued has far-reaching consequences for defenders on the frontlines. Recent developments—such as the normalisation of authoritarian practices within EU Member States and the rolling back of progressive legislation like the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)—illustrate a worrying deprioritisation of human rights and robust regulatory safeguards. Taken together, these dynamics place defenders, communities, and ecosystems under heightened and growing threat. SpeakersFor this event we are honored to be joined by:<ul><li>Michel Forst, UN Special Rapporteur on environmental defenders under the Aarhus Convention</li><li>Suzanne Kröger, Member of Dutch Parliament for GroenLinks–PvdA</li><li>Dr. Margit van Wessel, Associate Professor, Wageningen University</li><li>Karin van Boxtel, Executive Director, Both ENDS</li><li>Jonila Castro, National Spokesperson, Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment</li></ul> Programme<ul><li>15:00 – Walk-in</li><li>15:30 – Start of the programme</li><li>17:30 – Drinks &amp; bites</li></ul> We hope you will be able to join us for this important conversation.

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Civic space at the frontlines

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