Ukraine - Cooperation with Civil Society

World Bank Engagement with the Civil Society

The World Bank first began to interact with civil society in the 1970s through dialogue with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on environmental concerns. Today the World Bank consults and collaborates with thousands of members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) throughout the world, such as community-based organizations, NGOs, social movements, labor unions, and foundations.

The World Bank has learned through these three decades of interaction that the participation of CSOs in government development projects and programs can enhance their operational performance by contributing local knowledge, providing technical expertise, and leveraging social capital. Further, CSOs can bring innovative ideas and solutions, as well as participatory approaches, to solving local problems. Read more

Ukraine Experience and Prospects

The World Bank Office in Ukraine has been involved in the relations with CSOs in various forms since 2000, exploring the diverse range of activities – from consultations on Country Partnership Strategies and publication of special information bulletin for NGOs to direct financing of NGO projects through the annual Small Grants Program and several Country Development Marketplaces. The Bank also provided resources to the government through the IDF grant to facilitate partnership between civil society and authorities (“Dialogue for Reforms” Project, 2002-2004)

CSOs actively participated in a number of Bank projects such as People’s Voice Project (1999-2007) and Zaporyzzia Environmental Dialogue (2007-2010).

Country Partnership Strategy for Ukraine for 2012 -2016 and Civil Society

The CPS will move from intensive but ad hoc engagement to institutionalized cooperation with CSOs better connected to the CPS core programs. The new approach will start by implementing a few "demonstrations" of successful engagements – either through project preparation, ESW or policy/TA engagement. After two years, the results of these "demonstrations" would be reviewed and new actions and corrections proposed. For the initial "demonstrations", the following initiatives are being considered. Read more

CPS – Public Consultations

Resources For

Cooperation with Civil Society