What is the role that civil society plays in relation to the individual and the state?

Civil society is the sphere of self-manifestation of free citizens and voluntarily formed directed organizations, protected from direct interference from government authorities and business, as well as other external factors.

Civil society expresses the opinion or disagreement of most people with government decrees.

For example, the state decided to build a shopping center on the site of the park, but people did not want this, because in the park they walk with children, relax, walk their dogs. Therefore, civil society intervened to protect the interests of citizens.