POLICY BRIEF: Fostering an Enabling Environment for Civil Society Contribution to Global Development

BCSDN has published the policy brief Fostering an Enabling Environment for Civil Society Contribution to Global Development, authored by Ilina Neshikj and Biljana Spasovska from BCSDN, and Dejana Stevkovski from Civic Initiatives, as part of the activities of the Western Balkan CSOs for Global Development project.

As noted in the brief, CSOs play a significant role in international development cooperation. Engagement with civil society is critical to national ownership of development processes, democratic governance, and the quality and relevance of official development programmes. Yet, in order for CSOs to accomplish their critical role in global development and play their role, together with governments donors, in the localization of the SDGs – the main international mechanism for guiding development in all UN member states until 2030 – it is essential that the legal environment in which they operate is considered supportive and enabling for the operations of CSOs. This policy brief presents the environment in which CSOs in the Western Balkans function and whether it allows CSOs to contribute to global development processes. Finally, the brief presents recommendations for civil society, donors (including the EC) and national governments towards further improvements and support in this area.

The full policy brief is available for download here.

This policy brief is part of the activities of the Western Balkan CSOs for Global Development project, supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation, SlovakAid and HORIZONT3000