DFID signals greater recognition of major role for civil society organisations in tackling global poverty
New DFID Permanent Secretary, Dr Nemat (Minouche) Shafik, has written to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) stating the UK Government's view that civil society organisations have a major and growing role in tackling global poverty.
Minouche Shafik underlined that DFID work with UK civil society organisations was seen as a relationship that will “have a major impact and can help to continue to improve the lives of millions”.
Changes to DFID senior management and structure are set to reinforce work with civil society as part of “a deeper and more productive relationship” with civil society organisations in the UK and overseas.
DFID work with civil society organisations is to move to the Directorate of Policy and Research managed by Andrew Steer (acting Director General Policy and Research). Increased dialogue with civil society organisations around policy issues is one of the intended aims of the reconfiguration.
NGOs should now be far more easily connected into DFID policy teams as the civil society organisations-DFID relationship goes forward. Previously, Communications Division in the Corporate Performance Directorate held civil society relations within the Information and Community Partnerships Department. The DFID relationships with civil society and NGOs were heavily oriented around DFID-supported development activity and the channels of support through the various funding arrangements.
Responding to the changes, Richard Hawkes, BOND Chair, said: “The voice and expertise of UK development NGOs should be of importance right across DFID and these changes open a door for a new dynamic in civil society relations with DFID. BOND welcomes this new commitment to deeper engagement and our member NGOs are looking forward to the opportunities ahead.”
“NGOs have a crucial role in policy formulation with our ability to bring direct knowledge through our partner and beneficiary experiences and a huge knowledge base on development. Given our ability to influence national, European and g lobal decision-making, w e want to see ministers and civil servants supporting and championing NGOs.”
The changes come after a period of months when many NGOs had become concerned about DFID as the department underwent other internal changes, including staff cuts, impacting on relations with NGOs and raising concerns about many key areas of development work. New reports of further 300-plus staff cuts at DFID are also a matter of concern in civil society.
The DFID changes also see Mark Lowcock take over as Director General Country Programmes (previously held by Minouche Shafik), Martin Dinham as Director General International and Sue Owen continuing in her post of Director General Corporate Performance.
The Civil Society Team managed by Peter Kerby now falls within the Policy and Research Department led by William Kingsmill who reports to Andrew Steer in the Director General role. Some areas of civil society interest remain within the Communications Division, for example, the Development Awareness Fund.