Civil society refers to the space of organized, non-state, non-profit activity between individual citizens and government -- it includes NGOs, community-based organizations, trade unions, professional associations, and faith-based groups. These organizations influence policy through research and evidence (publishing data that highlights a problem), direct advocacy (meeting officials to propose specific changes), coalition-building (multiple organizations uniting around one demand to increase pressure), and public campaigns (using media and mobilization to shift public opinion). The terms are often used loosely but have distinct meanings: lobbying usually refers to direct attempts to influence specific legislation or officials, advocacy is the broader practice of promoting a cause or policy position, and activism typically refers to more direct, visible, and sometimes confrontational tactics such as protests or demonstrations.