Media & Resources

Americas Country Reports

Argentina Bolivia Canada Chile Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Jamaica Mexico Nicaragua Uruguay Venezuela

Argentina

From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Argentina by Grupo de Análisis y Desarrollo Institucional y Social (GADIS),with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Bolivia

From 2004 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Bolivia by the Center for Peasants’ Research and Development (CIPCA) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Canada

The Civil Society Index was implemented in Canada from 2000 to 2001 by the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy*, leading to a report presenting the results of the CSI initiative in the country.

Chile

From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Chile by Fundación Soles, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Ecuador

From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Ecuador by Fundaci ón Esquel, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Guatemala

 From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Guatemala by the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) in collaboration with the Civil Society and Social Movement Program at the Latin American College of Social Sciences (FLASCO), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Honduras

From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Honduras by Centro Hondureño de Promoción para el Desarrollo Comunitario (CEHPRODEC).

Jamaica

From 2005 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Jamaica by the Association of Development Agencies (ADA), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Mexico

From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemented in Mexico by Centro Mexicano Para La Filantropía CEMEFI and Iniciativa Ciudadana para la Promoción de la Cultura del Diálogo.

Nicaragua

From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemented in Nicaragua by La Red Nicaraguėnse por la Democracia y el Desarrollo Local (RNDDL).

Uruguay

The Civil Society Index was first implemented in Uruguay from 2000 to 2001 by the Instituto de Comunicación y Desarrollo (ICD), leading to a first report.

Venezuela

From 2009-2010 the Civil Society Index (CSI) was implemented in Venzuela by SINERGIA, with local partnerships with the Development Efficiency Forum and the Association and NGOs Networks Articulation Board in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Africa Country Reports

Egypt Ghana Liberia Morocco Mozambique Nigeria Rwanda Senegal Sierra Leone South Africa Tanzania Togo Uganda Zambia

Egypt

From 2004 to 2005, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Egypt by the Center for Development Services (CDS), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Ghana

From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Ghana by the Ghana Association of Private Voluntary Organisations in Development (GAPVOD), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Liberia

From 2008 to 2010  the Civil Society Index was implemented in Liberia by AGENDA, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Morocco

From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemented in Morocco by L'Espace Associatif and supported by the United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Social Development, Family and Solidarity in Morocco.

Mozambique

Between March and December 2007, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Mozambique by the Foundation for Community Development (FDC), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Nigeria

From 2005 to 2007, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Nigeria by Action Aid Nigeria and Development Information Network (DevNet), with the support of UNDP Nigeria and the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Rwanda

From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemented in Rwanda by the Conseil de Concertation des Organisations d'Appui aux Initiatives de Base (CCOAIB), with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Senegal

From 2008-2010 the Civil SOciety Index was implemented in Senegal by Forum Civil, with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Sierra Leone

 From 2004 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Sierra Leone by Campaign for Good Governance in collaboration with Christian Aid – Sierra Leone, with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

South Africa

The Civil Society Index was implemented in South Africa in 2001 by the Co-operative for Research and Education (CORE) and the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA), in cooperation with the South African NGO Coalition (SANGOCO), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Tanzania

The Civil Society Index (CSI) project was implemented in Tanzania between 2008-2010 by the Concern for Development Initiatives in Africa, ForDIA, with assistance from the United Nations Development Initiative (UNDP).

Togo

From July 2005 to March 2006, FONGTO worked in partnership with Plan Togo and CIVICUS to implement the Civil Society Index Shortened Assessment Tool (CSI-SAT) study in Togo.

Uganda

From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Uganda by the Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Associations (DENIVA), with the international coordination of CIVICUS.

Zambia

From 2008-2010, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Zambia by the Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD), with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and technical support form the CIVICUS CSI Team.

Civil society celebrates the decision to release the Morong 43 but concerned about delays

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 21 December 2010 -- CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation applauds the court order last Friday to free 43 health workers, but remains concerned that the immediate release of at least five of the health workers has been delayed due to the authorities' new claim of unrelated warrants against them.

International Organisational Committee of the Parallel OSCE Civil Society Conference

For immediate release OSCE Summit Fails to Deliver: A Wasted Opportunity to Strengthen the Human Dimension (Astana, 2 December) In the face of acute human rights challenges in the OSCE region, the organisers of the Parallel OSCE Civil Society Conference lamented OSCE participating states' failure to take steps to strengthen implementation of the organisation’s Human Dimension commitments.

Civil society calls on the Israeli Government to release Ameer Makhoul

CIVICUS joins civil society groups from around the world in demanding the immediate release of Ameer Makhoul, Director of Ittijah, an association of community-based Arab organisations based in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Concern for the 43 health workers known as the 'Morong 43'

An open letter from Ingrid Srinath (Secretary General, CIVICUS) to the H.

Zimbabwe March 2011: Silent Fear

Adele Poskitt This week I tasted the bitter-sweet fear that is keeping Zimbabwe on its knees.

Spotlight on the Civil Society Index - 24 Country Reports complete

Civil society has been defined as the space between state, private sector and family or community.

Syria: CIVICUS calls for immediate release of journalist Fayez Sara

"Arbitrary arrests, detentions and intimidation of activists, journalists and political opponents in Syria by security forces and members of the intelligence unit is no way to respond to legitimate calls for reforms by citizens in Syria," said Netsanet Belay, Policy and Research Director for CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation.

CIVICUS Announces the Nelson Mandela – Graça Machel Innovation Award Winners

CIVICUS is pleased to announce the winners of its latest round of Innovation Awards.

Civil society enabling environment now on global agenda - preparing for Busan

Civil society organisations (CSOs) around the world are mobilising resources, actions and advocacy to influence key global processes this year.

Ameer Makhoul

Name: Ameer Makhoul Country: Israel Reason behind bars: Ameer Makhoul, prominent Palestinian human rights activist and Director of the Palestinian NGO, Ittijah: Union of Arab Community-Based Associations, was arrested at his home on 6 May 2010 and later charged with “assistance to the enemy in a time of war,” “aggravated espionage” and “contact with a foreign agent.

Interview with civil society activist: Pepe Julian Onziemam

Pepe Julian Onziemam, Programme Coordinator for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a coalition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) human rights organisations in Uganda, speaks to CIVICUS about the challenges of working in a hostile environment.

Torture and Arbitrary Detention in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

This 40-page report is a compilation of personal narratives and analysis presented as a briefing to United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights.

Report on the challenges faced by women in civil society in Africa

In this report, CIVICUS reviews the status of women in civil society in Africa.

10 Principles of Good Practice for the Intelligent Funder

Background For donors, civil society is a crucial partner and resource in progressing development goals.

Budgeting (in two parts)

Background Budgeting is the key to financial management of non profit organisation.

Writing a Funding Proposal

Background A successful application depends on the design of a sound project, which addresses social, political, and economic issues of a community.

Financial Controls and Accountability

Background Many people in leadership positions in civil society organisations and projects find themselves dealing with large sums of money when they have little or no knowledge or experience about how to manage money.

Developing a Financing Strategy

Background This toolkit is aimed specifically at people who have not thought through a financial strategy before.

Internal Communication Toolkit

Background The aim of the toolkit is to help organisations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness through the creation of internal communication processes that create a cohesive organisational culture.

Promoting Your Organisation

Background Civil society organisations get set up by people who feel concerned enough about an issue to want to do something about it.

Handling the Media

Background Many organisations and different civil society groupings are asked to respond to requests for interviews, need to send out press statements or have to handle some type of crisis the media picks upon.

Producing Your Own Media

Background Media is a powerful tool we can use to communicate our messages and advance our work as civil society organisations.

The Role of Civil Society Organisations in Promoting Social Justice and Sound Development Polices in SADC: A case study of Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Accountability Project surveys in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe were carried out by three researchers from each country.

CIVICUS PG Practitioners' Brainstorming Workshop Report

This report serves as a summary of the main discussions and outcomes of the Strategies for Promoting Participatory Governance: A Multi-Stakeholder Brainstorming Workshop, which took place in Glasgow, Scotland from 22-23 June 2007.

CIVICUS Participatory Governance Programme: External Evaluation Report

CIVICUS commissioned an end of funding phase evaluation for its Participatory Governance (PG) Programme which took place from November 2009 through January 2010.

Turning principles into practice: A guide to legitimacy, transparency and accountability

CIVICUS has developed several initiatives to equip CSOs to move from legitimacy, accountability and transparency (LTA) principles to practices in their organisations and networks.

The Compendium of International Legal Instruments and Other Intergovernmental Commitments Concerning Core Civil Society Rights

The compendium is an important reference document for advocacy groups while framing their demands for the protection and expansion of civil society space.

The Role of Civil Society Organisations in Achieving Participatory Democracy and Reconciliation

This paper is based on a presentation by CIVICUS CSI staff member, Mahi Khallaf, at the International Symposium in Cyprus, 25-26 February 2005.

The Civil Society Diamond: A Primer

This report reviews the methodology for the Civil Society Diamond.

Taking the Pulse of Civil Society Worldwide: Insights from the CIVICUS Civil Society Index Project (2003-2007)

A paper presented at the 8th conference of the International Society for Third Sector Research, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain, 9-12 July 2008.

Summary of CSI Methodology and Conceptual Framework

This document presents a brief summary of the main features of the CSI's conceptual framework and methodological approach.

Sharing Lessons and Comparing the State of Civil Society in Post Communist Europe

This is a post-workshop paper, based on the discussions that took place at the CIVICUS Civil Society Index Regional Workshop in the Czech Republic from 5-7 April 2006.

Improving the Understanding and Strength of Civil Society

A briefing paper on the contribution of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index to civil society strengthening programmes worldwide.

Índice de la Sociedad Civil: Herramienta para el Fortalecimiento de la Sociedad Civil en América Latina

Una descripción del Índice de la Sociedad Civil (ISC) CIVICUS en el contexto de América Latina.

How Civil Society Influences Policy: A Comparative Analysis of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index in Post-Communist Europe

This working paper, a collaboration between CIVICUS and ODI, presents an analysis of the policy-relevant findings of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index in a group of countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Ukraine.

Handbook on how to use the Index as a self-assessment tool

This is a handbook on how to use the Index as a self-assessment tool for civil society practitioners.

From Impossibility to Reality

A reflection and position paper on the CSI Pilot Phase by Volkhart Finn Heinrich and Kumi Naidoo.

External Impact Assessment of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index between 2003 to 2006 – Full Report

External Impact Assessment of the CSI Programme (Phase 2003 – 2006) carried out by Skat, a consulting firm from Switzerland, from October to December 2009 (January, 2010).

Evaluation report on the CSI pilot phase

Read the executive summary of the independent CSI evaluation report by the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organisations, Harvard University.

Civil Society – Measurement, Evaluation, Policy

This book provides a comprehensive and flexible framework for the definition, measurement, analysis and interpretation of civil society based on the innovative 'Civil Society Diamond'.

CIVICUS Civil Society Index: Preliminary Findings Phase 2003-2005

The CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI) Project held the International CSI Workshop from 19 to 21 June 2006 in Glasgow, Scotland.

CIVICUS Civil Society Index: Assessing and Strengthening Civil Society Worldwide

This report provides a detailed account of the project approach, conceptual and analytical framework and research methodology of the innovative CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI) Project.

Building knowledge about civil society

This article appeared in CIVICUS World, the January-February 2001 Edition.

Assessing Civil Society in Cyprus and Across the World - The CIVICUS Civil Society Index

This report was presented at the International Symposium in Cyprus, 25-26 February 2005.

Assessing and Strengthening Civil Society Worldwide - An updated programme description of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index: Phase 2008 to 2010

The report provides the full programme description, implementation process and analytical framework of the Civil Society Index of Phase 2 (2008-2010).

Analysing threats to civil society around the world

This report reviews CSI country data from 2003-2007 to analyse threats to civil society around the world.

Civil society: The clamp-down is real

The last decade, and especially 2009 and 2010, have been particularly hard for civil society and human rights defenders.

Boiling Point: Can citizen action save the world?

Written by: Kumi Naidoo Published by: Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation (as part of the Development Dialogue Series) About the Book This volume offers the insights and reflections - both critical and self-critical - of a prominent civil society activist who has been engaged in local and global struggles for emancipation for over 30 years.

Writings Within Your Organisation

Background Writing is one of the most powerful tools your organisation counts with in its day to day work.

Writing Effectively & Powerfully

Background This toolkit provides many useful tips and tools to use in your writing.

Strategic Planning

Background Strategic planning is the core of the work of an organisation.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Background Although there is a tendency in civil society organisations to see an evaluation as something that happens when a donor insists on it, in fact, monitoring and evaluation are invaluable internal management tools.

Action Planning

Background Action planning is the planning that guides your day-to-day work.

Overview of Planning

Background Planning is a complex process that can take many forms.

Resource Guide for National Associations

Background This resource guide was prepared by the Civicus Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) in response to member’s requests to support efforts towards setting up and running networks/alliance/national associations of CSOs.

From Political Won't to Political Will: Building Support for Participatory Governance

Edited by Carmen Malena Published November 2009, 336 pages /6"x9", Paperback, US$29.

Interview with Civil Society Activist - Amy Bartlett

  Amy Bartlett, the Global Coordinator of the Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness, a unique global initiative working to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of civil society in development initiatives, speaks to CIVICUS about her work.

CIVICUS: IFC Review Process must align with the UN Framework on Business and Human Right

CIVICUS has had the opportunity to study the draft sustainability framework and in particular the draft Policy on Social and Environmental Sustainability put together by the IFC.

CIVICUS condemns the arrest of Andrey Yurov in Belarus

CIVICUS condemns the arrest and detainment of Andrey Yurov, Head of the International Observation Mission of the Committee on International Control over the Human Rights Situation in Belarus.

Latest in e-CIVICUS

A CIVICUS inventor passes away – remembering a great civil society leader -  Ingrid Srinath Defrosting the Chilling Effect -  Adele Poskit, Policy officer, CIVICUS NANGO Calls for end to Harassment of Civil Society Activists by Zimbabwe Republic Police Internal displacement on the rise in Libya Changing political spaces of Civil Society Organisations: Report New Zealand Aid Development Scholarships Jobs and internships and; Loads of civil society related news Read this issue online or subscribe now and get all future issues in your inbox!

The Compendium of International Legal Instruments and Other Intergovernmental Commitments Concerning Core Civil Society Rights

The Compendium of International Legal Instruments and Other Intergovernmental Commitments Concerning Core Civil Society Rights The compendium is an important reference document for advocacy groups while framing their demands for the protection and expansion of civil society space.

Call for United Nations Human Rights Council Special Session on the Human Rights Situation in the Syrian Arab Republic

April 6, 2011 To: All Member States of the UN Human Rights Council Call for United Nations Human Rights Council Special Session on the Human Rights Situation in the Syrian Arab Republic Excellency,As Human Rights non‐governmental organizations from all regions of the world, we express our serious concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in Syria since the country’s security forces started using live ammunition against protesters on 18 March 2011.

CSI Methodology

CSI Methodology The CSI is an action-research project that aims to assess the state of civil society in countries around the world.

Indicator Database

In implementing the CSI, national civil society organisations and stakeholders make use of qualitative and quantitative research methods to create an assessment of the state of civil society in their country.

CSI implementation

CSI Implementation Project Implementation Stages: 1.

Phase 2 (2008-2010)

CSI Reports Phase 2: 2008 - 2010 Interim Phase (2008) After the first phase was completed, an interim phase using the same version of the methodology was implemented in early 2008 and sponsored by UNDP to focus on the state of civil society in six African countries.

Phase 1 (2003-2006)

CSI Reports Phase 1: 2003 - 2006 Revision of the CSI project framework – 2002 To gain a thorough understanding of the pilot phase’s achievements and challenges, an independent consultative evaluation study was conducted by Srilatha Batliwala Research Fellow with the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard University, involving the country partners, CIVICUS staff and board members and external experts.

Pilot Phase (2000-2002)

CSI Reports Pilot Phase: 2000 - 2002 In March 2000, CIVICUS issued a request for statements of interest to organisations interested in participating as CSI country partner-organisations in the CSI’s pilot phase.

The Origins of the CSI

CSI History & Origins From its inception in 1993, CIVICUS strove to make a significant contribution to recording the rise of civil society around the world, and to build a knowledge base of civil society-related issues.

Perceived Impact

The extent to which civil society is able to impact on the social and policy arena, according to internal and external perceptions.

Level of Organisation

The degree of institutionalisation that characterises civil society (measured through an analysis of civil society organisations)Armenia Case Study: Financial Sustainability While implementing the CSI in Armenia in 2008-2010, Counterpart International found controversial findings concerning CSO’s financial sustainability.

Civic Engagement

The extent to which individuals engage in social and policy-related initiativesPalestine: Engaging with Local Communities and Better Meeting their Needs In Palestine, implementing the CSI has led to a better consideration of local community needs and marginalised people.

Voices from the field: Change has started and it will never go back

Rowena McNaughton interviews human rights activist and director of Arab NGO Network for Development, Ziad Abdel Samad.

Introduction to the CSI

Civil society is playing an increasingly important role in governance and development around the world.

Call on members of the UN Security Council to act now

Dear CIVICUS friend, The UN Security Council (UNSC) is holding a closed-door meeting today (22 Feb) to discuss the crisis in Libya and there is something you can do about it! The situation in Libya is escalating with mass killings of protestors, resulting in the commission of crimes against humanity.

Legitimacy Transparency and Accountability

Legitimacy, Transparency and Accountability The Legitimacy, Transparency and Accountability (LTA) project started at CIVICUS in response to key findings of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index, which highlighted issues of transparency and accountability as among the main concerns of civil society organisations (CSOs) around the world.

Civil society: the OSCE Moscow Mechanism - a way out of the "Belarusian deadlock"

Olga Zakharova, Eurasia Idea Network Correspondent Civil Society representatives from 27 OSCE member countries sent an appeal for urgent action in response to the human rights crisis in Belarus to the embassies of OSCE member countries.

Ingrid Srinath at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland

Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General, CIVICUS Speaking during the session 'Insights on India' Ingrid shared her concerns about the government's inability to keep its promises.

CIVICUS Statement on the MDG Summit

  World Leaders must act decisively before it's too late   Johannesburg.

Open Letter to Uzbek President Karimov

Click here to download copy of letter.

Letter of appeal for the release of Ameer Makhoul

Letter of appeal for the release of Ameer Makhoul - Click here to download

CIVICUS Concerned over Increased Harassment of Human Rights Defenders in Uzbekistan

13 July, 2010-- Johannesburg ---CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is concerned by recent reports that Uzbek officials are intensifying pressure against human rights defenders in response to the political upheaval and violence in neighboring Kyrgyzstan.

CIVICUS makes a case for the release of Popov at the 14th Session of the Human Rights Council

Item 3 Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights ID on the Reports of the Special Rapporteurs on Violence against Women, Extreme Poverty and the Right to Health 7 June 2010 Mr.

CIVICUS Restructuring: Strengthening Mission-Focus

By Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General, CIVICUS     A few weeks ago I wrote of the semi-annual CIVICUS Board meeting and the key issues the Board would be deliberating.

CIVICUS calls for Restoration of Democracy and Justice in Guinea

  08 October 2009, Johannesburg, South Africa CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation expresses deepest condemnation at the killing of at least 157 protestors and the wounding of over a thousand people during a military crackdown upon a large scale public protest in Guinea on 28 September.

CIVICUS expresses concern over detention of Uzbekistan activist

  13 May 2009 – CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation has expressed concern over the detention of well-known civil society activists in Tashkent, Uzbekistan for commemorating the anniversary of the 2005 “Andijan Massacre”.

New Law will cripple Ethiopian civil society

28 January 2009- Despite severe criticism from donors, civil society and foreign governments, on 6 January 2009, the Ethiopian Parliament passed a controversial law restricting the activities and funding for civil society organisations (CSOs).

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