Civil society

Civil society broadly means the groups and organisations that occupy a position between the household, the state and the private sector.

They include non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as think tanks, trade unions, faith and diaspora groups, social movements and community groups.

Working with civil society forms an integral part of DFID's approach to dealing with the challenges of: addressing wealth creation; achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); tackling climate change; dealing with conflict and security; and strengthening global partnerships.

It's also one of the key ways in which DFID contributes to cross cutting issues such as gender equality and getting value for money.

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) can help relieve poverty by reaching disadvantaged groups and neglected areas that governments often fail to reach.

DFID works with over 500 international and UK CSOs and has direct or indirect links with many more CSOs in developing countries. 

The five objectives underpinning DFID's work with civil society are to:

• provide goods and services to the poor, particularly the hard to reach.
• help people in developing countries hold governments and others to account and influence decisions that affect poor people’s lives.
• support poor people to do things for themselves.
• build support for development by encouraging UK citizens.
• build and maintain the capacity and space for an active civil society.

More than 50% of DFID's work with civil society is supported through country programmes. DFID also supports civil society through centrally managed funds. DFID makes makes funding decisions on all projects and programmes based on their ability to deliver results and value for money.