What is the role of civil society in aid effectiveness?  On the one hand, international civil society has been a strong advocate internationally of changes in donor aid practices, and is increasingly active in policy debates. 

On the other hand, NGOs are also major development actors in their own right, both as donors and as implementing agencies.  The DAC estimated private philanthropic flows to developing countries at $3 billion in 2003 (compared to around $8 billion in ODA), and that number has since expanded dramatically with the arrival of new private foundations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative.  Should there be a set of aid-effectiveness principles applying to NGOs?

The DAC has been running consultations with civil society as part of the preparations for Accra.  An Advisory Group on Civil Society and Aid Effectiveness has been formed, comprising representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs), donors and partner countries and chaired by CIDA, to assist civil society to prepare for and participate at Accra and to provide them with a platform for participating in aid-effectiveness debates.  There will be six regional consultations and several international conferences bringing together northern and southern NGOs. 

An International CSO Steering Group has also been established to coordinate a parallel, CSO-led consultation process, including an event in Accra.   A draft policy paper has been produced, and is being circulated among NGOs for comment.  Its activities are reported on the BetterAid website.