Programs > By Focus Area > Public Participation and Advocacy
Programs by Focus Area: Public Participation and Advocacy
The role of CSOs in developing countries has grown exponentially in recent years. Oftentimes, CSOs are the primary providers of services as well as the leading voices for change in such spheres as HIV/AIDS, human rights, legal reform, and economic development.
ICNL works to promote skills necessary to foster public participation and to become reliable, professional advocates. Illustrative activities include (additional information about all programs may be found by clicking on the country title):
- Sponsoring an advocacy training for local Bulgarian NGOs that have received grants to advocate for judicial reform.
- Hosting public discussions and assisting in the drafting of the Law on Volunteering in Croatia.
- Performing advocacy skills training in Honduras.
- Supporting a participatory law drafting process for the NGO Law Decree in Iraq.
- Co-sponsoring and participating in a regional conference on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Freedom of Association in Kazakhstan.
- Piloting a successful initiative to encourage adoption of rules promoting public participation through locally led NGO advocacy campaigns in the several municipalities in Kosovo.
- Participating in training workshops and an advocacy task force promoting CSO law reform in Tanzania.
Through these initiatives and many others, ICNL has given CSOs new skills for informing and mobilizing public opinion.