Development & Civic Space

Civil society is an independent development actor in its own right—essential to “leaving no one behind” by serving the underserved and ensuring that communities are included in building their future.

When civil society organizations, governments, and international development agencies cooperate effectively, positive and lasting change can take root. The United Nations General Assembly has declared that “effective participation by civil society” is “an essential part of the necessary foundations for the realization of social and people-centered sustainable development.”

However, civil society around the world face is facing new restrictions in its ability to engage in development. These restrictions impede progress, especially for marginalized groups. They also contradict international legal standards and commitments that emphasize the need for an enabling environment for civil society, including the 2011 Busan Partnership Agreement, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. ICNL engages with a variety of international bodies to monitor and reinforce countries’ adherence to their commitments so that civil society can contribute meaningfully to development goals.

(Icon credit: Smashicons)

Key Resources

Ulaanbaatar Declaration on Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies in Asia and Beyond

The 2019 Ulaanbaatar Democracy Forum brought together Asian governments, regional and global bodies, and civil society organizations to share their experiences in implementing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, which urges the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. The statement expresses concern that, despite international commitments, civic space is shrinking. ICNL participated in the meeting and contributed to this declaration.

Nairobi Outcome Document

The 2016 High-Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation in Nairobi defined development effectiveness and set the agenda for the implementation of the 2011 Busan Partnership Agreement, which proposes principles, commitments, and actions for effective cooperation in international development. The document summarizes the results of the meeting, as well as advocacy by ICNL, including an acknowledgment of the worldwide shrinking of civic space and a commitment to accelerate the creation of an enabling environment for civil society.

Busan Partnership Agreement

The 2011 Busan Partnership Agreement was a landmark agreement signed by more 100 countries and 50 international development organizations. It outlines the principles of development effectiveness along with concrete steps for putting the principles into action. Paragraph 22 recognizes the contribution of civil society organizations to achieving sustainable development and commits signatories to help CSOs “exercise their roles as independent development actors, with a particular focus on an enabling environment, consistent with agreed international rights.”

Civic Freedoms & the Sustainable Development Goals

This 2018 report to the United Nations General Assembly by the special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, drafted with ICNL’s help, lays out the relationship between the exercise of these key rights and implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015, calls on UN members states to end extreme poverty and fight inequality, injustice, and climate change by realizing the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals.

Practical Recommendations for CSO Participation in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

These practical recommendations, by UN Special Rapporteur Clément N/ Voule, ensure the participation of civil society in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and are a valuable tool for all actors engaged in  advancing effective CSO participation in development processes.

OECD Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance

This report by the OECD Development Assistance Committee provides recommendations for  including and enabling civil society in development and humanitarian processes.

All Development & Civic Space Resources

Expanding Civic Space in DAC Partner Countries

ICNL 2009-2010 Annual Report cover photo - A women's savings group meeting
In this piece for the Global Center for CSO Accountability, ICNL Legal Advisor Nikhil Dutta ... Read More

Legal Frameworks for Civic Space: A Practical Toolkit

blindfolded law statue (photo credit: unsplash.com)
This toolkit, created in collaboration with the UNDP and ICNL, provides an overview of the ... Read More

Enabling Civil Society in Development and Humanitarian Assistance

red crescent refugee camp (credit: pixabay.com)
This report by the OECD Development Assistance Committee provides recommendations for including and enabling civil ... Read More

“Soft Law” and Informal Standard-Setting in the Area of Counterterrorism

Report on The Regulation of Foreign Funding of Nonprofits in a Democracy
This briefing paper addresses the proliferation of new institutions and the “soft” law standards they ... Read More

Tier Classification of the SDG Indicators as of April 2019

Tier Classification of the SDG Indicators as of April 2019
This document contains the updated tier classification, based on changes made by the Inter-agency and ... Read More

Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation Progress Reports

Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation Progress Reports
The Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation works with over 160 participating governments to track ... Read More
Explore our full resource collection, which includes reports, legal analysis, and curated collections of materials covering an array of issues impacting civic space around the world.