NIOK Civil Report 2025

Abstract

The NIOK Civil Report 2025 analyses the current state of civil society organisations in Hungary and provides the first comprehensive overview of the sector. Focusing on traditional civil society organisations - foundations and associations registered in Hungary - it examines the political, legal, and economic developments shaping the sector’s operating environment, as well as its key structural characteristics. The analysis draws on a wide range of data sources, including official statistics from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), data from the Adjukössze.hu fundraising platform, a systematic review of relevant literature, and original surveys and interviews conducted by the NIOK Foundation. The report addresses three main
areas: macro-level conditions affecting civil society, statistical trends in organisational capacity, employment, and revenues, and funding opportunities, with particular attention to normative public funding, the 1% personal income tax scheme, and private donations. The findings indicate that civil society in Hungary operates in an increasingly constrained environment characterised by growing inequalities in access to resources. While overall revenues and employment have increased since 2010, these gains are highly concentrated, and volunteer participation has declined. At the same time, private donations and the 1% tax scheme remain vital for many organisations, highlighting both the resilience of the sector and its structural vulnerabilities.