The World Bank has identified several important reasons for why it is important to both engage civil society directly and also facilitate greater synergy between member governments and civil society at various stages of the development process from policy dialogue to project implementation. This rationale is based in part on the experience the institution has had collaborating with civil society over the past two decades at the various levels from the national to the global levels. This experience has highlighted a number of benefits that civil society can bring to the development efforts. These include:
The World Bank engages civil society organizations (CSOs) in three ways:
First, it facilitates dialogue and partnership between civil society and governments by providing resources, training, technical support, and often playing a convening role. That type of engagement can be best seen in the process of formulation of the country poverty reduction strategies (PRSPs).
Second, the Bank dialogues and consults with CSOs on issues, policies and programs, by listening to their perspectives and inviting suggestions. These interactions vary from consultations on global policies, such as social safeguards and adjustment lending, to discussions on local Bank-financed projects.
Third, the Bank partners directly with CSOs through contracting technical assistance and training services, funding civil society initiatives, and managing joint programs. There are many examples of active partnerships in the areas of forest conservation, AIDS vaccines, rural poverty, micro-credit, and expanding internet usage. For more information on how the Bank engages civil society - see World Bank-Civil Society Engagement: Review of Fiscal Years 2005-2006.
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