 Question:  How many CSOs working in your country have an impact on children?  Answer:  All of them.  Whether or not they work in a traditionally child- focused area, all CSOs affect children and can incorporate a focus on child rights into their work.

 Recognised as critical development actors  International (legal & political) commitments  e.g. Paris Declaration, Accra Agenda for Action  e.g Engagement with Civil Society in External Relations (EC, 2012) Promote a conducive environment for CSOs Promote meaningful and structured participation of CSOs Increase local CSO’s capacity

 promote and protect the best interests of the child  Raising public awareness on issues related to child rights  Advocating for legal improvements & child rights legislation  Engaging with governments in policy-making  Influencing national budgets  monitor implementation of child rights  Monitoring and assessing public performance  CRC ‘shadow reports’  Providing qualitative data  ‘fulfilling’ child rights  Delivering essential services and provisions  Reaching communities that might otherwise be excluded

 Unique access & outreach  Access & knowledge of the local culture  Ability to mobilize communities  Ability to reach & engage vulnerable/marginalized groups  ‘Opinion-makers’ - influence over public actors (local parliaments, local authorities, ministries, media)

CSOs are as diverse as the people and causes they represent’  Representativeness, transparency  Internal governance and capacity  Donor dependency, resource competition  Challenging environment  Varying commitment to child rights

 Examples of ‘strategic & meaningful engagement with CSOs on child rights programming?  ‘What works’ best to support an enabling environment for child-focused CSOs?  What are your experiences of ‘quality partnerships’ with CSOs?

 Promote a conducive environment for CSOs  Understand the operational environment: Institutional context Political climate Political economy of CSOs Credibility/accountability Tool 8.1: Quick assessment of the enabling environment  Promote meaningful and structured participation of CSOs on child rights  Identify potential partners Tool 8.2: Mapping of child-rights focused CSOs Tool 8.3: Assessing the capacity of CSOs in child rights promotion Tool 8.4: Checklist for CSO’s integrity and core values from child rights perspective

 Ensure meaningful participation of CSOs in political and policy dialogue (e.g. lead by example, peer pressure, diplomacy)  Ensure development programming is participatory and inclusive  Promote CSO participation in domestic policies  Legislative reform  Social budgeting  Public service delivery  Create enabling financing for CSO (core funding, long-term, local resources)  Build and invest in CSO capacities & ‘quality partnership’

Tool 8.1: Quick assessment of the enabling environment Tool 8.2: Mapping of child-rights focused CSOs Tool 8.3: Assessing the capacity of CSOs in child rights promotion Tool 8.4: Checklist for CSO’s integrity and core values from child rights perspective