Stefánia Kapronczay

resilient organizations, human rights, narrative building

I specialize in developing organizational resilience through strategic planning that encompasses a range of diverse activities. My expertise includes strategic litigation, legal empowerment, community-based initiatives, and the development of communication and fundraising campaigns. With a background in building resilience under autocratic governments, I am well-equipped to advise on complex human rights challenges.

bio

I have been a human rights defender for 20 years in Hungary, serving as one of the directors of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union between 2013-2024. Adapting to the closing democratic space, we transformed the organization from predominantly deploying legal tools into a social change organization that supports citizens, grassroots and civil society organizations with the aim of inspiring hope in democracy. During my leadership, the organization significantly expanded its revenue from Hungarian individuals, which amounted to nearly 30% of its annual budget. I was one of the initiators of the Civilization Coalition, a diverse group of civil society organizations. I was co-chair of the International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations between 2014-2024.

I offer

  • consultancy and workshops on strategy development leveraging my experience in navigating autocratic environments

  • consultancy on developing fundraising campaigns

  • keynote speeches

Please contact me if you're interested in my services. We can then explore how we can work together to achieve your goals.

selected work

Learning useful lessons from your enemies Strength and Solidarity Podcast

A special version of a stolen election – the case of Hungary, 2022 with Dániel Döbrentey

Crackdown and opportunity: the legitimacy of participation in public life, 2018

The Crackdown on NGOs as an Opportunity to Reinforce Human Rights Values: a Hungarian Case Study, 2018 with Anna Kertész

War on NGOs in Eastern Europe, 2017