Effective Donor Support

By worldmovementdemocracy | Updated: June 13, 2024, 5:43 p.m.

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How can donors support civil society organizations in reforming democratic institutions and enhancing representative democracies? Flexible funding mechanisms are a great start.

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Flexible Donor Support
for Civil Society
Yet, donor support for civil society that seeks political reform has had mixed results
Donors support civil society because of its potential to promote good governance and equitable development
Sector Resilience
Short-term Partnerships
Legitimacy
Donor 
Oversight
Government 
Restrictions
Persistent Challenges
Sector Resiliance
Funding for a small number of "high-capacity" CSOs has failed to develop a resilient civil society sector as a whole
Funding is often project-based and focused on short-term outcomes 
Short-term Partnerships
Staff Retention
Sustainability
Organizational 
Development
This inhibits civil society's:
This perception is easily exploited by autocrats accusing CSOs of serving foreign interests
CSOs are sometimes perceived to be more accountable to foreign donors than their communities
Legitimacy
Excessive administrative burdens can inhibit CSOs' responsiveness and creativity
Donor Oversight
Donors can be hesitant to support civil society activists and organizations that are harassed by governments because of their reform agenda
Government Restrictions
So, how can donors better support a resilient civil society?
Funding Strategies
Non-financial Strategies
Political Strategies
Funding Strategies
Strategies for Flexible Support
By decentralizing decision making to local levels,  reducing oversigh ,and providing flexible funding , CSOs can better meet the needs of their communities
Funding Strategies
CSOs must become more 
responsive to local needs
decentralizing
reducing oversight
flexible funding
flexible funding
Limit funding channeled through large consultancies, and support a mixture of formal and informal grassroots groups
Funding Strategies
decentralization
decentralizing
reducing oversight
Allow CSOs to determine their own advocacy priorities and objectives at the local level
flexible funding
Institute proportional administrative requirements that  are sensitive to local contexts
Prioritize civil society sector development over programmatic outcomes 
Funding Strategies
decentralization
reducing oversight
flexible funding
Funding Strategies
decentralization
reducing oversight
flexible funding
Consider providing non-program specific, core or institutional funding to CSOs
Non-Financial Strategies
Political Strategies
Funding Strategies
Strategies for Flexible Support
Non-financial Strategies
The civil society sector can be strengthened as a whole
Donors can encourage solidarity and collaboration rather than competition
By encouraging   horizontal integration among various types of NGOs and investing in  capacity buildin , donors can foster a more resilient civil society
Non-financial Strategies
horizontal integration
capacity building,
horizontal integration
capacity building
Non-financial Strategies
Capacity building is an important element of civil society support, but should avoid distracting CSOs from their work
Promoting collaboration across NGOs regardless of sectoral focus can facilitate knowledge sharing and strengthen the civil society ecosystem
Non-Financial Strategies
Political Strategies
Funding Strategies
Strategies for Flexible Support
Donors can legitimize civil society through their communication strategies and can advocate for improved CSO regulatory environments
Political Strategies
regulatory environments
communication strategies
Political Strategies
communication strategies
regulatory environments
Donor outreach to communities, governments, and international bodies can highlight civil society’s importance and contribution
regulatory environments
Political Strategies
Donors can also maintain consistent communication with CSOs instead of seeking dialogue only when problems arise
Donors can seek to improve the legal climate for civil society by leveraging UN mechanisms and influencing national legislation
communication strategies
Learn more about civil society's right to receive funding at:
movedemocracy.org/right-to-funding

Effective Donor Support

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