Launched in 2019, the CoP is a space for DAC members to informally discuss the implementation of their Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance. Recognising civil society actors as critical contributors to inclusive and sustainable development, effective humanitarian assistance, and the protection of democracy, the CoP encourages members to promote effective partnerships, protect civic space, and enhance civil society’s accountability.
DAC Community of Practice on Civil Society
The Community of Practice (CoP) on Civil Society of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) helps its members engage effectively with civil society organisations and protect civic space in partner countries.
About
Our mission
The CoP supports DAC members in advancing the implementation of the Recommendation’s three pillars: 1) respecting, protecting and promoting civic space; 2) supporting and engaging with civil society; and 3) encouraging effectiveness, transparency and accountability of civil society organisations (CSOs).
How it works
All 33 DAC members participate in the CoP activities --peer learning, policy research and analysis, good practice guidance-- through their headquarters’ representatives working on civil society.
A companion forum to the CoP, the DAC-CSO reference group, allows for consultations with civil society on policy documents, such as toolkits to support the Recommendation’s implementation, and invites its participation in peer learning workshops.
A third forum opens the conversation on civil society to partner country governments, academia, think tanks and relevant OECD programmes. It meets every two years during the OECD DAC Civil Society Days.
Civil society engagement in development co-operation
National and international civil society organisations (CSOs) are key partners in monitoring development co-operation policies and programmes. Development co-operation can also be channelled to or through CSOs:
Aid is characterized as going to CSOs when it is in the form of core contributions and contributions to programmes, with the funds programmed by the CSOs.
Aid is characterized as going through CSOs when funds are channeled through these organisations to implement donor-initiated projects. This is also known as earmarked funding.
