Fostering an Enabling Environment for Civil Society Contribution to Global Development

As noted in the policy brief, authored by Ilina Neshikj and Biljana Spasovska from BCSDN and Dejana Stevkovski from Civic Initiatives, as part of the Western Balkan CSOs for Global Development project, 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 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. More information is available here.

Source: BCSDN