Partnership with civil society

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Introduction

Overall, the White Paper is positive about the role that civil society, in both North and South, plays in development, and commits to significant increases in funding for both UK and Southern CSOs, all of which is welcomed by Bond and was called for in our submission to the White Paper consultation.

Recognition of CSOs' roles as both campaigners and deliverers of development and humanitarian response (p.7) is encouraging, as is acknowledgement that the demanding expectations of the partnerships between DFID and CSOs must cut both ways (p.9), and the recognition of the "power and value of international voice and advocacy" (7.42). Bond called on the UK government to build the capacity of Southern civil society advocacy so it could move beyond service delivery. The extension of Partnership Agreements (PPAs) to include Southern CSOs is particularly welcome in this respect.

There is a clear indication that DFID sees civil society as a vital component of their continuing efforts to promote good governance and build strong, effective, accountable states and state institutions in the South. Additionally, DFID looks to CSOs and faith groups to deliver services to the poorest and hardest to reach in fragile states (1.37).

DFID's vision is of "states that are capable, accountable and responsive and where a flourishing civil society empowers citizens to realise their rights" (4.3).

Partnership

DFID will seek to strengthen existing partnerships with all facets of civil society[1] in both the UK and the South, as well as more clearly defining the relationship between government and CSOs with a new "compact" (7.43). Bond considers this more strategic approach as both an opportunity for UK NGOs, as well as presenting the need to consider whether such an approach has benefitted the UK domestic voluntary sector.

The extension of financial support to a broader spectrum of civil society organisations is to be welcomed. However, the details of the new Development Innovation Funding requires fleshing out before it can be commented on in more detail and Bond is eager to see these proposals that account of the leaning Bond and others have generated on other DFID funding mechanisms.

Renewed emphasis on performance assessments and proven impact, as well as a "clearer understanding of rights and responsibilities between DFID and civil society

organisations" (7.47) must be practical and based on past experience of what works.

Climate Change and CSOs

DFID will look to CSOs to play a key role in the fight against climate change. Southern CSOs will be resourced to perform dual roles "to campaign for action on climate change and deliver change on the ground" (p.56), as well as helping to "spread awareness, education and support through the poor communities that will most directly bear the brunt of changes to our environment" (7.6).

Networking and partnerships are highlighted as vital to combat climate change. DFID will seek to "drive innovation [in low carbon development] through new partnerships with the private sector and civil society (3.36). The Climate Change Knowledge Network will bring together policy expertise from North and South on climate change adaptation and resilience and offer it to clients in Southern governments, civil society, academia and the private sector (p.57).

[1] CSOs, faith groups, trade unions, philanthropic organisations (p.9).