How can civil society organisations be more effective?
Global CSO Partnership
I had the privilege to be a part of the Global Civil society Organisation (CSO) Partnership for Development Effectiveness from 2013 to 2015. This global platform is first of its kind that brings together national and regional platforms of CSOs working in development cooperation. It helps strengthen their capacities and advocate globally to governments, private sector and others on key issues – from transparency, to accountability, to true partnerships. A lot of ambitions, a lot of passion and first fruits!
What European CSOs do and what stops them
Check the European brief How European Civil Society Organisations Strive for their Development Effectiveness with examples of work on effectiveness and about constraints CSOs face. It has been prepared by the Working group on CSO Development Effectiveness at CONCORD for the High Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation in Mexico on 15 – 16 April 2014.
In short, effective CSOs:
1. Strengthen the Enabling Environment
CSOs need clear, supportive legal and regulatory frameworks that recognize their right to operate, mobilize resources, and engage in policy dialogue. Advocating for transparent, predictable laws and simplified registration processes empowers organizations to focus on their mission rather than bureaucratic compliance .
2. Build Organizational Capacity
Investing in leadership development, professional staff training, and sound governance structures ensures that CSOs can plan strategically, manage projects efficiently, and adapt to changing needs . Regular skills audits and tailored capacity-building programs help maintain high standards of program design and delivery .
3. Diversify and Sustain Funding
Relying on a single funding source creates vulnerability. CSOs should cultivate a mixed portfolio—combining grants, local philanthropy, service contracts, and earned income—to enhance financial resilience and autonomy . Developing fundraising strategies that tap new donor segments, including individual giving and corporate partnerships, broadens support bases .
4. Forge Strategic Partnerships
Collaborating across sectors—government, private sector, academia, and other CSOs—magnifies impact. Joint initiatives and coalitions allow organizations to pool expertise, share costs, and leverage each other's networks for policy influence and service delivery .
5. Embed Transparency and Accountability
Clear reporting, open financial records, and participatory governance (involving staff, beneficiaries, and stakeholders) build trust and credibility. Adopting international standards (e.g., the International Aid Transparency Initiative) signals commitment to good practice and attracts responsible partners .
6. Leverage Evidence, Learning, and Innovation
CSOs should ground their programs in robust needs assessments and monitor progress with real-time data. Establishing "learning loops"—where feedback from evaluations informs iterative program adjustments—promotes continuous improvement and encourages creative solutions to complex challenges .
7. Engage in Strategic Advocacy
Effective advocacy combines evidence-based policy briefs, storytelling, and coalition building to shape public debate and influence decision-makers. Targeted campaigns, timed with legislative cycles, can yield legal reforms and budget allocations that sustain CSO work .
8. Harness Digital Tools and Communication
Adopting digital platforms for fundraising, collaboration, and outreach enhances operational efficiency and expands reach. Social media campaigns, online petitions, and virtual convenings help CSOs mobilize supporters quickly and cost-effectively .
9. Monitor Impact and Evaluate Results
Regular impact assessments—both quantitative and qualitative—demonstrate effectiveness to donors and stakeholders, while helping organizations learn what works. Publishing evaluation findings openly not only strengthens accountability but also contributes to sector-wide knowledge sharing .
10. Foster a Culture of Adaptability
The most resilient CSOs embrace change, encouraging staff to experiment, learn from failures, and pivot strategies as contexts evolve. Leadership that models agility and supports calculated risk-taking nurtures an organizational culture ready for tomorrow's challenges .
You may also check this presentation given on behalf of CONCORD at the CSO Forum in Mexico on 14 April 2014 organised by the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness.
What CSOs from across the world do and what stops them
The Journey from Istanbul contains a summary of the implementation of Istanbul principles on CSO Development Effectiveness and case studies from 19 countries from across the world, including their specific national context and constrains. It has been prepared by the Working group on CSO Development Effectiveness at the CSO Partnership., where Inka Bartošová (Píbilová) contributed on behalf of the European CSOs.
The High Level Meeting on Effective Development Cooperation in April 2014
While the meeting did not further development effectiveness commitments, it was a useful deadline to report on progress and of course it served networking and debating what actually CAN be done than what all DOES NOT work. The final communique with 38 voluntary initiatives from Mexico is here. Check the opinions on this by Eurodad or CPDE.