Core texts (2)   The Paris Declaration and women’s rights   TAGS :    Cross-cutting    Gender   Civil society   Author(s): Cecilia Alemany, AWID; Association for Women’s Rights in Development Year: 2008   This paper argues that the Paris Declaration is gender blind, and therefore flawed.  It argues that country ownership must not be equated with government ownership, excluding women’s perspectives.  It cautions against alignment with government plans, where gender equality is not an explicit national priority.  It argues that strong, independent and well-resourced CSOs, particularly women’s organisations, are essential for mutual accountability.  It is concerned that new aid modalities such as budget support will only reduce opportunities for real civil society participation in setting national development priorities.   Back to top   Better Aid   TAGS :    Civil society     An International CSO Steering Group organised a CSO Parallel Process to the Accra HLF in 2008. Initiated at the World Social Forum in Nairobi in January 2007, it is open to the participation of any organisation or network subscribing to its policy platform. It produced a Policy Paper for Accra, and coordinated CSO comments on the AAA. The Better Aid policy agenda included more engagement with non-government development actors, stronger measures on gender equality human rights, democracy and environmental sustainability. It holds that aid effectiveness is only one of a triad of priority issues in development finance, the other two being 100% debt cancellation for developing countries and fulfilment of the commitment by rich countries to provide 0.7% of GNI in development assistance.   Back to top Tools (1)   Advisory Group on Civil Society and Aid Effectiveness: Synthesis of Findings and Recommendations   TAGS :    Civil society    OECD DAC   Author(s): Advisory Group on Civil Society and Aid Effectiveness Year: 2008   An Advisory Group on Civil Society and Aid Effectiveness was established in January 2007 to strengthen dialogue between the DAC Working Group on Aid Effectiveness and civil society. Its report to the Accra HLF recommended greater recognition of the importance of CSOs in the development process. It also recommended that the Paris principle of country ownership should be broadened to encompass not just ownership by central government agencies, but also by parliaments, local governments, communities and CSOs. It noted that too rigid application of the principles of harmonisation and alignment to CSOs could stifle initiative, and stressed the importance of diversity, division of labour and innovation. It recommended continuing multi-stakeholder dialogue on these issues, and further piloting of good practices.   Back to top Evidence & Analysis (2)   Exploration of Experience and Good Practice   TAGS :    Civil society    CSO effectiveness   Author(s): Real Lavergne; Jacqueline Wood; Civil Society Advisory Group on Aid Effectiveness Year: 2009   This Good Practice paper has been prepared to illustrate how the recommendations of the Civil Society Advisory Group on Aid Effectiveness can be put into practice.  It is based on 76 case studies, some of which are presented in the Paper.  The paper describes the different roles played by CSOs in the development process, including democratisation through civic engagement, social mobilisation and advocacy, public education and research, self-help and innovation and the provision of development assistance.  Its discusses recognition and voice (the importance of CSO participation in the development policy dialogue), and the contribution of civil society to enriching our understanding of the Paris principles.  It discusses the importance of an appropriate enabling environment for CSO effectiveness, and how CSOs themselves can be good donors – particularly in respect of the quality of partnerships between Northern and Southern NGOs.   Back to top   Trends in Government Support for Non-Governmental Organizations - Is the 'Golden Age' of the NGO Behind Us?   TAGS :    Civil society    Aid architecture   Author(s): Catherine Agg Year: 2006   This very interesting study of the rise of NGOs as development actors notes that they were seen by donors during the 1990s as a means of bypassing weak and corrupt states. This involved assumptions that were untested empirically and had dubious democratic credentials. The new emphasis on alignment and programmatic assistance since 2000 has undermined the position of NGOs, leading some to predict the demise of the NGO sector. However, while some donors (Canada, Sweden, Switzerland) have significantly reduced the proportion of their ODA going through NGOs, others (the UK, Norway, Japan, the Netherlands) have not, but are encouraging their NGO partners to move away from small aid projects towards partnership and knowledge transfer with Southern NGOs. In addition, the rise of global funds and private philanthropic flows has created new sources of funding for international NGOs. The article is critical of INGO practices towards Southern NGOs, noting their tendency to control funding sources and create dependency. Their emphasis on transferring their own skills and promoting their own countries' development agenda often create resentment among their Southern partners. The paper suggests that Southern NGOs need greater autonomy to play a constructive role in their own societies.   Back to top Country Examples (0) Events & Processes (6)   AidWatch   TAGS :    Civil society     AidWatch is an initiative by Concord, a pan-European confederation of NGOs working on international development issues.  AidWatch monitors and advocates on the quantity and quality of Official Development Assistance (ODA) provided by European Union Member States and the European Commission.  AidWatch reports annually on how EU states are performing on the quantity and quality of aid.  The 2009 report Lighten the Load highlighted that EU governments are still unlikely to achieve their aid commitments by 2015, and that aid quality and effectiveness is still problematic.   Back to top   Reality of Aid   TAGS :    Civil society    Asia-Pacific   Africa   Latin America and Carribean     Reality of Aid is the only major north/south international non-governmental initiative monitoring poverty reduction and development cooperation. It brings together more than 40 civil society networks involving thousands of member development NGOs in 22 donor countries as well as in Asia, the Americas and Africa.  The Reality of Aid builds on a 10-year track record of independent assessment of aid policies and practices, and aims to contribute to more effective international aid and development cooperation strategies to eliminate poverty, based on principles of North/South solidarity and equity.  It produces research reports and public education materials, facilitates sharing of lessons between member organisations, and lobbies national and international policy makers on development issues.   Back to top   BetterAid.org   TAGS :    Civil society     An International CSO Steering Group organised a CSO Parallel Process to the Accra High-Level Forum in 2008, known as BetterAid.  Initiated at the World Social Forum in Nairobi in January 2007, it is open to the participation of any organisation or network subscribing to its policy platform.  It produced a Policy Paper for Accra, and coordinated CSO comments on the AAA.  The Better Aid policy agenda included more engagement with non-government development actors, stronger measures on gender equality human rights, democracy and environmental sustainability.  It holds that aid effectiveness is only one of a triad of priority issues in development finance, the other two being 100% debt cancellation for developing countries and fulfilment of the commitment by rich countries to provide 0.7% of GNI in development assistance.   Back to top   Advisory Group on Civil Society and Aid Effectiveness   TAGS :    Civil society    OECD DAC     The Advisory Group on Civil Society and Aid Effectiveness is a multi-stakeholder group with 12 members from developing country governments, donors and CSOs from developed and developing countries.  It was established by the DAC Working Party on Aid Effectiveness in January 2007 to strengthen dialogue in advance of the Accra HLF, and to that end conducted a series of international, regional and national consultations.  The Advisory Group continues to produce reports and practice papers on civil society and aid effectiveness.   Back to top   Advisory Group on CSO and Aid Effectiveness   TAGS :    Civil society    OECD DAC     The Advisory Group on Civil Society and Aid Effectiveness is a multi-stakeholder group with 12 members from developing country governments, donors and CSOs from developed and developing countries. It was established by the DAC Working Party on Aid Effectiveness in January 2007 to strengthen dialogue in advance of the Accra HLF, and to that end conducted a series of international, regional and national consultations. The Advisory Group continues to produce reports and practice papers on civil society and aid effectiveness.   Back to top   Determinants of Civil Society Aid Effectiveness: a CCIC discussion paper   TAGS :    Civil society    CSO effectiveness   Author(s): Brian Tomlinson; CCIC Year: 2006   To date, donor strategies for aid effectiveness have focused exclusively on donor-government relationships. This paper explores whether the Paris principles also apply to CSOs. It notes that CSOs tend to adopt a human rights-based approach in assessing the effectiveness of their activities. It stresses their role as a bridge to the poor and marginalised in developing countries, and as a counterbalance to the commercial, security and political interests of donors, which can limit the policy choices available to partners. The paper argues that the creative tension in these roles is inherent to the democratic process, and should not be constrained by an artificial insistence on harmonisation. Nonetheless, the paper acknowledges that CSO practices must continue to evolve and change.   Back to top