Principles of

CSO Development
Effectiveness
Introducti
on

FRAMEWORK
FOR CSO DEVELOPMENT EFFECTIVENESS

PRINCIPLES

GUIDELINES MECHANISMS INDICATORS

 Principles of
CSO Development
Effectiveness

• Underlying values and qualities of

social and organizational
relationships that promote
development in which those living
in poverty may more ably claim
their rights
 Some Principles of CSO Devt.
Effectiveness
• People-centered
• Poverty-focused
• Based on human rights and social justice
• Based on genuine and long term partnership,
respect and dialogue, acknowledging
diversity
• Striving for sustainable impact and results
• Continuous enhancement of transparency,
accountability, autonomy from states and
coordination
Principles of CSO Devt. Effectiveness as identified in 2007
Brussels workshop on Civil Society
and Aid Effectiveness
 Challenges and Principles of
CSO-DE
• Legitimacy

- Definition: Perceptions by stakeholders that

the existence, activities and impacts of CSOs
are justifiable and appropriate in terms of
central social values and institutions.

- Source: CSOs are expressions of their right to

association and citizenship
 Legitimacy
• CSOs actors have come to be recognised as a
key force in enhancing citizens’
• participation in development. They are
essential organisations for increasing peoples’
demands for progressive realisation of human
rights,
• For ensuing accountability of governments
and for engagement and monitoring
implementation of development change.
Challenges and
Principles
• Accountability
– A responsibility to answer for particular
performance expectations to specific
stakeholders
Governments, Donors, Northern and International CSOs

Staff, members, Partners

Peers Board

Poor and marginalized, including women

Challenges and
Principles

• Gender Equality
– The equal rights, responsibilities and
opportunities of women and men and
girls and boys; it implies that the
interests, needs and priorities of both
genders are taken into consideration.
• Gender Equity
– Fairness of treatment for women and
men according to their needs.
Challenges and
Principles

 North-South/South-South CSO
Relations
- Premised on cross-border intl solidarity – but reality is that of
unequal relations of the dominant Northern CSO often leading to
patron-client relationship

- CSO partnerships should adjust to needs and circumstances of

inherently weaker partner and reduce ‘partnership’ demands-
fiduciary, project mgt., program sustainability, etc.

- Building equal partnerships require an enlightened approach of

affirmative action – providing allowances to weaker partner

 CSO partnerships should provide enabling support starting with

core financial support to ensure effective operation of CSOs whose
members cant sustain operations
 YOUR
Principles of CSO Development
Effectiveness

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GENERATE
3 SORT

DEFINE2 4 RANK