Contact INTRAC Training: Telephone: +44 (0) Website: Twitter: #INTRAC_UK Rethinking Civil Society and Support for Democracy: a response Rachel Hayman EBA seminar 22 nd April 2015 Contact INTRAC Research: Telephone: +44 (0) Website:

A response to the report 1.INGOs need to adjust to a broadened concept of civil society in international development, and address the ‘crisis’ of legitimacy and identity that seems to exist. 2.Beyond legal constraints and overt repression of civil society, we need to acknowledge constraints and controls because of the domestic funding and policy environment 3.The ‘liberal’ role, the ‘republican’ role… and building the social basis for democracy 4.The blurred line between Big ‘P’ Politics and little ‘p’ politics: where does civil society start and stop?

1. New Actors and Bridge-Builders Pushing out from the middle and reaching beyond the usual suspects… but who decides what is a legitimate, influential or democratic movement; and how they should come together? Can we reinvigorate the middle ground? Does containing fragmentation and creating links between actors risk too much intervention?  Greater capacity and flexible funding, including in- country, to identify and engage with new actors  Work with trusted intermediaries and donors groups where presence is lacking

2. New Actors / new models Need to create spaces to explore local and global understandings and potentials for civil society relative to political participation and democracy Needs to include local political and private sector actors.  Donors need to work with western thinkers and governments to push for a truly ‘global’ recognition of the value of civil society  Support for deeper reflection on CS dynamics at country levels and the added value of INGOs in supporting civil society

3. Re-opening closing spaces Depoliticizing or politicizing aid? Overtly partisan or non-partisan? In-country presence or not? Risks of ‘wrapping up’ democracy promotion in CS support programmes Coherence required across donor government portfolios, as well as coordination amongst donors Should democracy funds and other CS funds be separate?  Flexible, innovation funds – not accountability- driven, risk-averse, results-based  Working from practice up, working with the grain

4. Support for ICTs Reaching beyond those who are connected and visible - who is excluded and marginalised from the new movements? What about the roles of the traditional media?

5. Linking civil societies beyond protest Bringing movements together – why and who? Do we damage new actors by formalising, organising, shaping?  Support, including capacity building, for sustainable, legitimate, active civil society  Support for organising and networking (not just organisations)

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