At a Glance - Civil society has grown exponentially over the past decades and today is recognized as an important development actor throughout the world monitoring public policies, providing technical expertise, and partnering with governments to provide social services.
- The World Bank has greatly increased its cooperation with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) over the past 25 years, and today it is estimated that CSOs are involved in 82 percent of new Bank-financed projects.
- The Bank funds thousands of CSOs each year directly through various grant making mechanisms such as Development Marketplace or indirectly via government social funds geared to supporting food security, HIV/AIDS prevention, environmental protection, and poverty reduction.
- More than 120 civil society specialists work at the Bank to ensure the views of CSOs are considered and to encourage CSO involvement in Bank-financed projects.
The Growth of Civil Society The Civil Society sector—composed of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based groups, trade unions, indigenous people’s organizations, community groups, and foundations, among others—has emerged as a major force in international development in the past 20 years. There has been a dramatic expansion in the size, scope, and capacity of civil society, which has come in the wake of growing democratic governance throughout the world. It is estimated that the annual expenditures of the non-profit sector worldwide is $1.3 trillion and that it employs over 40 million people. The sector channels approximately $20 billion in financial assistance to developing countries per year. CSOs have also demonstrated an increased influence and ability to shape global public policy during the past two decades. This dynamism is exemplified by successful advocacy campaign movements that have mobilized thousands of supporters around the world on issues such as debt cancellation, poverty reduction, and climate change. WHY the Bank Engages with Civil Society The Bank has learned over the years that civil society plays an important role in humanitarian relief, social development, and governance reform. Civil society plays an important role in development by: · Ensuring that voices of poor and marginalized people can be heard by governments, and that their views are factored into policy decisions; · Promoting public sector accountability and transparency through increased support for good governance; · Building common ground through participatory approaches and strengthening national development strategies and poverty reduction initiatives; · Providing technical expertise and offering innovative and cost-effective solutions to local problems; and · Partnering with governments to provide social services, particularly in fragile governance and post-conflict settings. HOW the Bank Engages with Civil Society The Bank interacts with hundreds of CSOs every day throughout the world, consulting them on policies, employing their technical assistance and training services, funding CSO-led poverty reduction efforts, and co-managing programs. There are some 120 Civil Society Focal Points across the World Bank Group in Washington and in over 100 country offices responsible for engaging CSOs. Consultations The Bank consults with CSOs on strategies, policies, and projects to get their views and suggestions on global policy issues such as governance and climate change, and on country assistance strategies at the country level. The most recent global consultation process was the first phase of the Bank’s energy policy which involved Internet-based consultations and meetings with some 2100 persons in 31 countries during 2010. Bank President Robert B. Zoellick has also hosted six CSO Food Roundtables since 2008 on the global food and financial crisis with a broad range of CSOs. At present the Bank is consulting CSOs on the review of its environment, social protection, safeguards, and investment lending strategies. Operational Collaboration The Bank has steadily increased its operational collaboration with civil society organizations by involving them in Bank-funded projects and funding their development initiatives. The projected involvement of CSOs in Bank-financed projects has increased from 21 percent in 1990 to 81 percent in FY 2011. Support for civil society development efforts worldwide has also increased through the establishment of numerous funding mechanisms geared to supporting food security, community health, and environmental protection. The Bank funds CSOs directly through headquarters-based mechanisms (i.e. Development Marketplace, Japan Social Development Fund), and indirectly through government-run community-driven development projects in more than 60 countries. For numerous examples of Bank and civil society policy dialogue and operational collaboration at the global, regional, and national levels see the “World Bank – Civil Society Engagement: Review of Fiscal Years 2007 – 2009.” To contact the Bank’s Civil Society team please email civilsociety@worldbank.org. For information on the Bank’s approach to civil society engagement, a list of country-based civil society focal points, grant funding opportunities, and to subscribe to the monthly Civil Society eNewsletter, please visit the Bank’s Civil Society Engagement website: http://www.worldbank.org/civilsociety Media Contact: John Garrison (202) 473-4742, jgarrison@worldbank.org Updated August 2011 | 
