Guidance

Lines of Enquiry

Updated 15 January 2016

The Civil Society Partnership Review (CSPR) team will use the following five themes to structure its engagement, both online (taking place from August) and for group face-to-face discussions (to be held in September, into October) with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). More information concerning engagement opportunities.

1. Effective civil society

Many CSOs are facing an uncertain and changing future. How can DFID support CSOs to become more resilient, flexible and sustainable? How can DFID contribute to strengthening CSO effectiveness, capacity and leadership in lower and middle income countries? How can we support the changing relationship between Northern and Southern organisations? How can DFID most effectively contribute to securing and promoting space for an active civil society and creating open societies where CSOs can operate most effectively and freely?

2. Effective knowledge and influence

How could DFID and civil society work together better to develop, share and apply policy and programme evidence and learning? How can DFID and civil society collaborate more effectively on global influence for sustainable development? UK public support for development is crucial. How could DFID and civil society deepen public understanding of and support for international development?

3. Effective collaboration and partnerships

Why and how could DFID most effectively support a more diverse range of CSOs including smaller, newer NGOs and non-traditional NGOs? We value a diverse civil society that includes smaller, newer and non-traditional NGOs. How can we support these organisations to flourish? Partnerships and collaboration are essential in our work to reduce poverty. How can we encourage civil society to explore new and more diverse partnerships, including NGOs, social movements, private sector organisations, philanthropists and foundations?

4. Effective approaches

What type and quality of funding instruments and partnership approaches are most effective for DFID and CSOs in meeting common objectives and why? How could these be improved?

5. Effective relationships and engagement

Please describe your current relationship and engagement with DFID e.g. how you are involved in programme and policy discussions; how regularly and in what format do you engage with DFID staff and Ministers? Is there anything we could do to make our relationship more complementary, efficient and effective? How could this be done in a way that maximises the value that DFID and CSOs add?