CIVIC is an international NGO dedicated to the protection of civilians in conflict

We work with and alongside communities affected by violence to strengthen their protection and advocate for their rights. We engage armed actors and decision-makers to prevent and respond to civilian harm, and we influence policies and practices to make civilian protection a global priority. As a humanitarian protection actor, we bridge the gap between people at risk and those with the power and responsibility to protect them.

1. Bridging the gap: CIVIC brings together conflict-affected civilians, civil society, security forces, and decision-makers to build mutual understanding and develop practical solutions that prevent and address harm to civilians. We link those most at risk with those who have the power and responsibility to protect them.

2. Locally rooted, civilian-led solutions: Our programs are driven by practical, locally led solutions. We prioritize the agency of local civil society, community leaders, and local governments, providing technical and financial support while keeping a modest footprint and co-leading only when necessary.

3. Turning law into action: We help ensure that the laws and norms meant to protect civilians are operationalized in conflict settings, including by developing new tools and identifying and promoting good practice.

4. Connecting local and global: We ensure local experiences and solutions shape national, regional, and global policies and that global commitments and resources meaningfully support communities on the ground. We also advance inclusive and effective humanitarian diplomacy that bridges these levels to strengthen civilian protection.

5. Fluent across sectors: While humanitarian at our core and PoC-focused, we work across sectors—security, peacebuilding, human rights, and development—to bring together the right people and solutions for protecting civilians.

Our Principles

CIVIC’s strength is its proven approach and record of improving protection outcomes for civilians by working directly with conflict-affected communities, armed actors, and political decision-makers. Our work is guided by the following principles:

• Civilian harm is not an unavoidable consequence of conflict—it can and must be prevented.
• Civilians are not merely victims of war; they are agents of their own protection.
• Protection efforts must recognize that civilians experience conflict differently based on gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, language, and other aspects of identity.
• Armed actors bear primary responsibility for preventing and addressing civilian harm and must be held accountable for their actions.
• Direct engagement with civilians and armed actors is essential to reducing harm and improving protection outcomes.
• Collaboration with a wide range of partners and coalitions is critical to accelerating global action and reducing public tolerance for civilian harm.