The Growth of Civil Society The Civil Society sector – composed of non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups, trade unions, indigenous people’s groups, charitable organizations, community groups, and foundations, among others – is a major force in international development. 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. The number of international NGOs was reported to have increased from 6,000 in 1990 to 26,000 in 1999. CSOs have also become significant players in global development assistance, with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reporting that as of 2003 at least $12 billion in international assistance flows through CSOs. CSOs’ have demonstrated an increased influence and ability to shape global public policy over the past two decades. This dynamism is exemplified by successful advocacy campaign movements which have mobilized thousands of supporters around the world on issues such as: the banning of land mines, debt cancellation, and environmental protection. The most recent example of the vibrancy and importance of civil society is the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), an international civil society campaign advocating for debt relief and greater aid to poor countries. In 2007 GAP is estimated to have mobilized over 44 million citizens to participate in the Stand up against poverty events held in cities throughout the world. Why the Bank Engages Civil Society The World Bank recognizes that collaboration between civil society, government, and the private sector significantly enhances efforts to promote economic growth and sustainable social development. Civil society, in particular, plays an important role in development by: - Ensuring that voices of poor and marginalized people can be heard by governments, and their views factored into policy decisions.
- Promoting public sector accountability and transparency through increased pressure 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.
- Partnering with governments to provide social services, particularly in fragile governance and post-conflict settings.
How the Bank Engages with Civil Society The Bank began formally interacting with CSOs in the late 1970s through discussions over concern about environmental impacts of Bank-funded projects. In 1981, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved the first policy on relations with CSOs. In 2005, the Bank published a policy paper titled “Issues and Options for Improving Engagement between the World Bank and Civil Society Organizations”. The report analyzes the Bank’s relationship with civil society and provides an institutional framework and lays out a 10-point action plan for further strengthening these relations. In January 2005, the paper was presented to the Bank’s Board of Executive Directors, whom reaffirmed support for civil society engagement as an important component to strengthening its own poverty reduction efforts worldwide. The World Bank is currently in the process of updating its civil society engagement policies which guide its relations with CSOs across the institution. A new Strategic Priorities Paper is being drafted and will involve online and face-to-face consultation with CSOs around the world in the coming months. Policy Dialogue In the area of policy dialogue, the Bank consults with CSOs to get their views and suggestions on a range of issues from global policies such as governance and loan conditionalities, to country assistance strategies at the country level. The Bank also encourages and supports developing-country governments to engage CSOs in the formulation of Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRSs) which define a country’s policies and plans for poverty reduction. The most recent global consultation process occurred in 2007 and was centered on the Governance and Anti-Corruption Strategy. This involved holding consultation meetings with civil society representatives in over 40 countries. Operational Collaboration The Bank has steadily increased its operational collaboration with civil society by involving them in Bank-funded projects and by funding their own development initiatives. The projected involvement of CSOs in Bank-financed projects has increased from 21 percent of the total number of newly funded projects in 1990 to an estimated 70 percent in 2007. Unprecedented Bank and civil society collaboration occurred in response to the Asian Tsunami in 2004, particularly in Indonesia, where the Bank and CSOs have worked closely in rebuilding efforts. Support of civil society development efforts worldwide has increased through the establishment of numerous funding mechanisms. Grants are typically provided to CSOs working in areas such as: rural poverty alleviation, community health, micro-enterprise development, environmental protection, primary education, and gender rights. The Bank funds CSOs directly through headquarters-based mechanisms, and indirectly through government-administered social funds 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 2005 – 2006”.
- ### - To contact the Bank’s Civil Society team please send an email to: civilsociety@worldbank.org. For information on the Bank’s approach to civil society engagement, list of country staff, available funding, and to subscribe to the monthly Civil Society eNewsletter please visit the Banks’ Civil Society Engagement website: http ://www.worldbank.org/civilsociety. Updated April 2008 Media Contacts:
John Garrison, (202) 473-4742, Email:jgarrison@worldbank.org
Jeff Thindwa, (202) 458-1112, Email:jthindwa@worldbank.org | 
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