As we planned this publication, we became increasingly aware of the significance for our work of major events – past and present – that have influenced the ideas and experiences that are discussed. The book was written 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the event that symbolised the collapse of communist regimes in Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria, Romania and Czechoslovakia. In 1990, the changes reached Albania and Yugoslavia. Over the next three years, the Baltic nations, Ukraine and the countries of the southern Caucasus regained their independence. These events were as profound politically, economically and socially as they were sudden. Opportunities to re-examine the meaning and potential of ‘community’ became possible and the challenge of supporting social movements and related professions became increasingly evident. The concept of civil society was at the centre of debate and struggle, that of community development beginning to emerge.

The second context for the writing was the expanding membership of the European Union (EU), which brought with it a climate of continuing uncertainty over the political future of the continent. This has raised questions such as whether there will be increasing coherence between western European countries and those in central and eastern Europe or whether there will be fragmentation. Will the current dominance of the Right in European politics lead to clashes with progressive European traditions, with which advocates of civil society are mostly aligned, or will tolerance prevail? Finally, there is the issue of the hold on parts of the electorate of racist political parties and xenophobic attitudes: will support for them grow or weaken? These questions all point to hesitancy and doubts surrounding the idea of a united Europe.

The implications of the 2008–09 recession have become increasingly evident throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Its impact, however, has been uneven. Communities already experiencing disadvantages have seen a rise in unemployment and an increase in poverty. At the same time, the combination of mounting scientific evidence and campaigning by environmental groups has resulted in the issue of climate change becoming part of the mainstream political agenda of countries across the world. Politicians are beginning to face up to the policy implications of this.