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:

• deliver goods and services effectively and efficiently to improve the lives of poor and marginalised people in developing countries
• empower citizens in developing countries to be more effective participants in development decisions and policies that affect their lives 
• enable CSOs to influence, advocate and hold to account national, regional and international institutions and increase aid effectiveness
• work in partnership with other UK Government departments to build support for development
• 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.