Dynamics of Subnational Funding of Advocacy Groups

The social movement literature has long recognized the importance of resource mobilization. In many countries this is tied to political opportunities linked to the nation-state. A growing literature has examined the importance of that funding on social movement and advocacy groups. What is less clear is how subnational polities affect funding and whether they too play a role in sustaining advocacy and social justice groups when national politics turns to neoliberalism and austerity. Looking at Indigenous, Environmental and Women’s advocacy groups this paper explores how critical events and political opportunities affect subnational funding and whether it fills the void created by declining national support of social justice and advocacy groups.