Barriers to Effective Civil Society Organisations

Political, Social and Financial Shifts

Ibrahim Natil, Vanessa Malila, Youcef Sai

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781000163889
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Civil Rights in Politics
• Index: Politics & International Relations

This book provides an insight into the historical changes and present-day circumstances that have influenced, and continue to influence, the development and future of civil society.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) play a crucial role in international development, however their impact on policy and practice is limited by a range of shifts across their political, social and financial landscapes. Barriers to Effective Civil Society Organisations is divided into three parts addressing each of these shifts in turn, and places particular emphasis on civil society actors linked not only by political constraints, but also by ethnic and cultural diversities that are crucial markers of political and social identity. This book draws on case studies from across Latin America, Africa, MENA and Ireland to highlight how CSOs in these countries are shaped by, and react to, shifting challenges. Reflecting on solutions for the sector, the authors provide an understanding of the various 'self-accommodation' policies and techniques employed by CSOs in order to continue their services and increase their credibility across global contexts.

Aimed at researchers, policy makers and CSO/NGO workers looking to better understand the current state and future of the sector from the perspective of emerging scholars working in these regions, and in the Global South in particular, this innovative book is a celebration of the important work of CSOs and a reaffirmation of their right to sit at the policy table.

1Introduction

Ibrahim Natil

Civil society organisations (CSOs) play an increasingly important role in generating the political, economic and social developments that shape our daily life in our contemporary and global society. A CSO is as an independent actor that assists “people to claim their rights in promoting rights‐based approaches, in shaping development policies and partnerships and in overseeing their implementation” (Busan Global Partnership Forum for Effective Development Cooperation, 2011; UNDP, 2013: 123; OECD, 2011: 10). They are governed by ordinary citizens on a voluntary basis, without significant government control or representation, and are considered by some as a form of the “participatory democracy” process where active citizens have the power to decide on change (Aragones and Sánchez­Pagés, 2009: 56–72). There are many types of CSO involved in delivering aid, including faith-based groups, trade unions, professional associations and internationally affiliated organisations with branches in many different countries. Furthermore, they have been active contributors to relief, development and empowerment of civil society despite social, cultural, economic and political shifts and challenges (Hanafi and Cuhadar, 2010: 211).

There are, however, many aid actors, workers and governments in southern countries, referred to as non-governmental organisations or ‘NGOs’ and their role in international aid and development cooperation is also significantly important (UNDP, 2013: 123). ‘NGO’, however, is a term, included under a broader category of ‘CSOs’. ‘NGO’ is sometimes used interchangeably with ‘CSO’, but NGOs should be more accurately understood as a subset of CSOs involved in development cooperation (OECD, 2011: 12). Organisations, such as trade unions or professional associations, for example, often avoid characterising themselves as NGOs, preferring to label themselves CSOs. Moreover, not-for-profit universities and research institutes are also defined as CSOs. They include a diverse set of organisations, ranging from small, informal, community-based organisations to the large international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) working through local CSOs across southern countries (UNDP, 2013: 123). Although the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have traditionally used the term ‘NGO’, however, they have adopted the definition of CSOs:

[CSOs] can be defined to include all non-market and non-state organisations outside of the family in which people organize themselves to pursue shared interests in the public domain. Examples include community-based organizations and village associations, environmental groups, women’s rights groups, farmers’ associations, faith-based organizations, labour unions, co-operatives, professional associations, chambers of commerce, independent research institutes and the not-for-profit media.

(OECD, 2011: 10)

Additionally, CSOs have proven that they are capable of delivering a model of services managed by professional teams. CSOs have been considered crucial stakeholders in mobilising and empowering society as key drivers of political, economic and societal change processes. They deliver actions in the fields of women of empowerment, civic engagement, community development, human rights, community peacebuilding, conflict resolution, health and sports. CSOs also aim at increasing engagement of marginalised and vulnerable groups in public dialogue, activism and community peacebuilding (Natil, 2014: 82–87).

CSO activists and/or ordinary citizens attempt to challenge ineffective, inefficient and insufficient public policies while they still have some influence over processes of change (Paffenholz, 2010). However, some of the barriers facing civil society influence are defined as the ability of this sector to cope with and operate within shifting conditions, restrictive political environments, and despite the complexity of the sociocultural and economic context. CSOs have the capacity to drive innovation and provide humanitarian relief in the face of natural disasters, war and other crises around the world. Repressive regimes in some countries, however, have been found to control CSOs by imposing a system of dominating financial channels (Weeden, 2015).

CSOs work and cooperate with a number of international organisations and foreign donors to implement participatory civil society activities (Wildeman, 2019). Foreign aid remains, however, essential for effective civil society and development programme implementation (Baliamoune Lutz, 2016: 320–341). This significant contribution of civil society organisations is reflected in their ability to engage in development and change process, and to contribute to the introduction of long-term changes in attitudes and prejudices and to promote the rights of vulnerable groups, while fostering tolerance by applying lessons learnt from other conflicts in the world (Paffenholz and Spurk, 2010: 66–76). With a diverse range of organisations, objectives and activities that target local, national and international issues, the CSO sector is an expansive terrain characterised by dynamic relationships between agents of action, the causes they serve and the communities that benefit from their activities. Occupying the ground between business and government, the CSO sector faces a number of regulatory and financial challenges that affect its overall health and sustainability. Civil society activists are increasingly witness to poor public freedom, socio-political deadlock, narrow civic space owing to controlled political systems and harsh economic life (Natil, 2019).

In short, this book seeks to address the following questions: To what extent has civil society actually succeeded in achieving its own objectives despite the shifting landscape? What is the role of civil society in accommodating the changes? How did civil society organisations (CSOs) overcome challenges in these societies? By assessing contexts and engaging policymakers with rigorous empirical research in a systematic way, CSOs can work to overcome both the internal and external challenges they face. This book aims to bring about a heightened awareness of the challenges faced by CSOs, as well as highlight the potential for greater policy engagement for poverty reduction. The main contribution of the book is to undertake new research, particularly around informed practice on the ground, and present recommendations to policymakers, practitioners, stakeholders and donors on ways of providing more conducive spaces for CSO contributions on specific policy issues. This book provides insights into a field neglected by research, and stimulates others to research this growing area of research. It also introduces the lessons learnt by civil society in responding to political shifts, social constraints and foreign aid changes, despite the existence of social conservatism, conflict, violence and the absence of democracy. It concludes with some implications and offers direction for future research in the field of CSOs in non-Western and Western contexts.

This book will be highly influential as it contains in-depth understandings and evidence of particular CSOs, outlining the problems and challenges that exist. This provides a platform which is part of the solution towards increasing the policy influence and social impact of the work of CSOs in a shifting global landscape. By presenting up-to-date empirical research, this chapter will help to increase the legitimacy and effectiveness of CSOs. CSOs are currently engaging in various contexts, which is important for different target groups, including scientists, researchers, national-level policymakers, donors, NGO staff and the beneficiaries themselves. Each of these groups have different communication needs. The book explores various factors which influence the civil society sector. It will focus on challenges facing CSOs’ societal contributions, current operational practices and strategies for future development.

It is without doubt that there have been significant changes to the CSO sector in recent years and this book explores the factors, circumstances and historical changes that influence the development and activities of CSOs, as well as the organisational, financial and political challenges facing the sector today. Remarkably, although considerable research has highlighted the weaknesses and limitations of civil society, rather less attention has been paid to its power in dealing with the exceptional circumstances and dynamics characterising some undemocratic and democratic societies in which CSOs find themselves. Therefore, the volume offers new insights into how CSOs in these countries not only are shaped by but also react to shifting challenges by considering papers from different parts of the world to promote cooperation within societies. CSOs, for example, have been challenged at all levels by violence, social context, and the conditions, requirements and shifts of international donors (Hanafi and Cuhadar, 2010: 211).

In order to best examine the barriers faced by CSOs and how they overcome these, the book focuses on three themes/shifts – political, social and foreign aid – and, by examining specific case studies on Cambodia, Iran, Egypt, the Palestinian territories, Ireland, Malwai, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa and Mozambique and Morocco, aims at improving our understanding on the shifts of CSOs in various societies. Particular emphasis is placed upon the different challenges faced by civil society actors from different locations around the world that are linked not only to political constraints but also to ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversities, as well as religious salient differences that are crucial markers of social and political identity. The purpose of this book is to explore the lessons learnt by civil society in responding to political changes, social constraints and foreign aid shifts. Despite the existence of social conservatism, conflict, violence and the absence of democracy and exclusive political systems in a number of countries, CSO civic engagement and community participation challenge the political, social and financial constraints in Latin America, Africa, MENA and Ireland.

In this volume, new research by young scholars provides contributions that are innovative and different as they mainly stem from their experiences and fieldwork. Contributions provide examples of the way CSOs are currently engaging in various contexts, which is important for different target groups, including scientists, researchers, national-level policymakers, donors, NGO staff and the beneficiaries themselves. CSOs play a crucial role in international development, however, they are having limited impact on policy and practice, and ultimately the lives of poor people. Some of the obstacles that hinder the ability of CSOs to perform their work are the policy processes that exist in some Global South countries. These processes often undermine and block CSO work. In many contexts, however, it is largely about the ways CSOs operate.

This book contributes to and enriches the debate on various civil society developments with new insights and a fresh perspective at the global level by providing concrete examples of civil society responses to the shifting landscape. Natil’s chapter (2) introduces shifting landscape challenges facing civil society. It also discusses the definitions of various political, social and financial challenges that have forced civil society organisations to shift or/and accommodate their operations and interventions. Natil’s introductory chapter on the debate on the shifting landscape and its implications for the civil society familiarises the reader with the theoretical framework through which the individual chapters are grounded.

Malila’s chapter (3) explores the perspectives of CSOs on the way in which the media are changing in their contexts, how they are adapting to changing civic spaces and the potential for social media to overcome restrictive regimes in Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa and Mozambique. This chapter establishes an understanding of civic space and the importance of media (both traditional and social) in that space in order to enhance the work of CSOs in holding governments to account. It also explores how CSOs close civic spaces and bridge the information gap through social media; how they are adapting to changing civic spaces; and the potential for social media to overcome restrictive regimes. Her chapter improves our understanding of how and why CSOs rely on the media in their contexts, how and why they are shifting more to using social media in their accountability work, and whether social media is able to play an effective role in opening civic space. In contexts where public broadcasters have often been unofficial ‘state’ broadcasters and print journalists are often enticed to report on corruption and accountability only when remunerated, CSOs are harnessing the potential of social media such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to continue holding public officials to account.

Moheimany and Najafinejad’s chapter (4) discusses the changing civil society and hybrid regime in Iran. This chapter discusses the subject of shifts in the status of civil society across two political periods in the Islamic Republic of Iran, namely the reformist (1997–2005) and conservative (2005–2013) periods. The circulation of power between two competing political camps significantly changed the political setting and made two contrary periods within the same political regime and, more interestingly, the same Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, though with opposite policies and incumbents in the presidency and Parliament. Despite the obstruction of electoral and political processes by Islamic institutions and security forces, in the cases of the two aforementioned periods, the ballot box became the mechanism people used to change the direction of policy: liberal democracy versus Islamic authoritarianism. As a result, not only did the character and behaviour of the state shift towards civil society, the composition and political position of civil society changed too.

El Assal and Marzouk’s chapter (5) studies the reinvention of nationalism and the moral panic against foreign aid in Egypt. Financing civil society activities has grown exponentially since the 1990s. Following the third wave of democratisation, several donors, either bilateral or multilateral agencies, have heavily supported and funded the activities of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the Global South. After this transition in the global order, CSOs played a fundamental role to support the spread of liberal norms and neoliberal policies, such as supporting the state by playing an intermediary role in public service provision. This was in addition to its political role in supporting democratisation processes through the expansion of civic education, human rights promotion and advocacy. CSOs, especially organisations that primarily work on advocacy and human rights issues, are often criticised by authoritarian governments for receiving foreign funds. Among several strategies to curtail the activities of these CSOs, banning foreign funds became one way to disempower and undermine the activities of these organisations and stifle the way they operate.

Alkahlout’s chapter (6) examines the effectiveness and influence of Qatari humanitarian aid on civil society organisations in the Gaza Strip since the siege in 2007. The research focuses on the challenges facing CSO contributions, current operational practices, and strategies for future development under the continued Israeli blockade, political split of governing bodies and obstruction of democratic life. The overall purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which Qatari aid supports CSOs in the Gaza Strip, and what effect it has on generating the political, economic and social developments that shape daily life in the Strip. The research methods are based on a supportive and integrated combination of a literature review on the existing conflict, and field research. Interviews were conducted with CSO staff in the Gaza Strip, Gazan people and Qatari charity staff in Qatar. The main findings and conclusions suggest that the Qatari humanitarian aid to Gaza in the last decade has had a deterrent effect on the work of the Palestinian CSOs.

Kimura’s chapter (7) discusses NGOs’ rights-based approach between contextual appropriateness and political transformation in neo-patrimonial Cambodia. It problematises a development NGO’s collaborative approach with the government as a rights-based approach (RBA...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Series
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of illustrations
• List of contributors
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Introducing barriers to effective civil society organisations
• 3 Africa CSOs in closing civic spaces: Bridging the information gap through social media
• 4 The changing civil society and the hybrid regime in Iran
• 5 Reinvention of nationalism and the moral panic against foreign aid in Egypt
• 6 Civil society in the Gaza Strip: Qatari humanitarian aid
• 7 An NGO’s rights-based approach between contextual appropriateness and political transformation in neo-patrimonial Cambodia: A critical realist analysis
• 8 Civil society and left-wing governments in Latin America: The limits of influence
• 9 Shifting landscape in Morocco: The case of civil society activism in post 2011 uprisings
• 10 A case study of two Irish faith-based CSOs
• 11 Conclusion: Implications and future direction
• Index