Working with Civil Society
DFID recognises the important role that civil society plays in development
and the elimination of poverty. Civil society offers citizens and communities
space for debate, association, critical reflection and action. Since 1996,
DFID’s support for UK civil society organisations has increased by 32% to
£223
million in 2002/03. This includes support to civil society organisations to
undertake development activities on behalf of DFID. We work with more than 120
organisations including those whose main focus is overseas development, such as
OXFAM or Action Aid, and also with a wider range of bodies within the UK that
share our commitment to poverty reduction, including professional, community and
faith groups, trade unions and organisations in the black and ethnic minority
communities.
DFID has long-term Partnership Programme Agreements with a number of civil
society organisations. These provide reliable funding over three to five years
on the basis of agreed outcomes which contribute to DFID’s overall objectives.
We currently have 15 such agreements in place, with development organisations,
such as Christian Aid, WaterAid and Save the Children, and also
volunteer-sending agencies such as Voluntary Service Overseas and International
Service.
In 2002 a new initiative, Strategic Grant Agreements, was developed to help
us build broader support for international development in UK civil society.
These agreements provide finance for groups for whom development is not their
primary purpose but who do nevertheless have the potential to make an effective
and strategic contribution to poverty elimination. During 2003 we signed
agreements with seven organisations including the Trades Union Congress, the
British Medical Association and Groundwork UK. An agreement with the National
Union of Journalists will be signed later this year.
Civil Society Team
The Civil Society Team within DFID's Information and Civil Society Department
works with civil society in the North and South, on policy and practice for
progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.
Specifically, we want to help build engagement between governments and the
people they represent on pro-poor policy development and implementation at all
levels. This means thinking more about global issues such as trade, and the
lobbying and advocacy work needed to bring about change.
It also means building the capacity of civil society in the South to engage
with their governments, the private sector and international institutions.
Finally, it also involves building public awareness, North and South, about
pro-poor development issues.
Further information
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