Funding Civil Society in Partner Countries

Toolkit for implementing the DAC Recommendation

PUBLISHED: MAY 2023

Funding civil society actors in partner countries remains marginal despite recognition of the importance of localising support and international commitments to strengthening partner-country civil society actors’ ownership. Only 7% of OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members’ civil society organisation (CSO) funding goes directly to partner-country CSOs.

This OECD toolkit offers providers guidance for funding civil society actors in partner countries. It helps them deliver on the provisions of the OECD DAC Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance related to funding:

  • to strengthen local leadership and ownership, and foster strong, independent, diverse civil society
  • by increasing the availability and accessibility of direct, flexible, and predictable support including core and/or programme-based support.

The guidance is structured around the main funding-related choices that providers need to make, highlighting the most effective options and mentioning additional considerations and mitigation approaches to avoid unintended consequences. In addition, the toolkit proposes complementary actions that contribute to an enabling environment for civil society. Read the the full report via the OECD iLibrary here.