Self-identity and Agenda of Environmental Civil Organisations within the Hungarian Political Context

Abstract: Pflum, Dorina (2021). Self-identity and Agenda of Environmental Civil Organisations within the Hungarian Political Context  Human Geography advanced level, master thesis for master exam in Human Geography, 30 ECTS credits  Supervisor: Lowe Börjeson Language: English Key words: identity, post-environmentalism, post-socialism, civil movements, environmentalism. The research presents a case study of Hungarian environmental civil organisations, highlighting particularities of a post-soviet trajectory and nationalistic discourse hostile to the civil sector. The aims of the research are to establish how organisations formulate their agenda and representation, and how they position themselves in the socio-political context. My research questions explored 1) What role do environmental civil organisations play in the sustainability discourse of Hungary and how that changed since 1989? 2) How do the current government’s attitude and activity impact the work of the organisations? 3) How do different organisations construct their identity? Utilising a constructivist approach with qualitative methodology, I conducted 11 interviews with members of 4 organisations. Reflecting on the ideas of postenvironmentalism, I found that the hostility of the government constricts the reinvention of an efficient movement but prompts the organisations to take an innovative approach. However, most changes are involuntary, reacting to external pressures and more deliberate planning is needed.