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By analysing a comparative case study investigating a development project implemented in Uganda and Vietnam, the article aims to understand how donor directives travel and translate into actual practices in aid chains. Making use of Norman Long's concept of the interface, we focus on the interfaces between organizations to examine the negotiation of everyday project practices. Based on practice theory, our analysis unpacks how directives are filtered through the power relationships that shape practices at the various interfaces. We find that organizational relations between southern organizations are just as power-laden as north–south relations. Our analysis also shows that neither the management directives nor the freedoms that were granted to the participating organizations resulted in uniform practices and that practices did not have the same implications for organizations. Hence, the aid chain concept tends to simplify the complexities inherent in project systems comprising a multiplicity of vertical and horizontal organizational relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty continues to ravage about 10 percent of the world population. Efforts to eradicate poverty in all its forms remain elusive. The historical decline in global poverty rate experienced from 10.1% in 2015 to 8.6% in 2018 and even further down to 8.3% in 2019 reverses to 9.2% in 2019 due to COVID-19 pandemic. Although the poverty rate is projected to decrease to 8.6% in 2022, efforts to lower it further are confounded by the emerging global uncertainties including the Ukraine-Russia war, the global economic crisis, and catastrophes of earthquakes, and adverse effects of climate change. To address poverty in a country, the government and other development actors, including civil society, must establish national definitions, set targets, and conduct assessments on how the poor access and are satisfied with public services. This necessitates an understanding of the poor's socioeconomic circumstances, as well as the factors that influence service providers' ability to meet their expectations. This study was primarily undertaken to determine the satisfaction level of rural women with public services provided through civil society programs within four villages in the northern parts of Bangladesh. It also explores what factors influence the satisfaction level. Findings indicated that highest proportion of the respondents (53%) had a high level of satisfaction. In addition, the findings show that respondents' knowledge of civil society organization services and duration of involvement in civil society organizations, as well as family size, annual family income, and training, were significantly correlated with women's satisfaction with the services provided by civil society organizations. Furthermore, age, family size, annual income, and farm size are important socioeconomic factors that can influence women's satisfaction with public services provided by civil society organizations. It concludes that the selected civil society organization lacks the necessary personnel to provide public services and assess program success. The implication is that for civil societies to successfully supplement the government's public services, they must examine the existing gaps and barriers that need to be addressed in providing the services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study offers an outlook on the current situation of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the field of harm reduction in Mexico. Analyzing Mexican harm reduction civil society organizations (HRCSOs) is necessary for three reasons: because they have historically represented a sensible alternative to drug policy proposals that emanate from the logic of the State; because they have the organizational and cognitive potential and the legitimacy to protect illicit substance users (with or without problematic use) from the risks and harms that drug policies may pose to this population; and because they are in a crisis that not only threatens the viability of their healthcare projects aimed at vulnerable populations but also, potentially, their own existence. The present article seeks to answer two questions—one descriptive and one explanatory: (a) What are the characteristics of Mexican CSOs that work in the field of harm reduction? (b) How do these organizations operate in a complex and dangerous environment? To answer these questions, the study uses data on the organizations' structures and dynamics that were obtained through 20 semistructured interviews that were conducted with members of these organizations. The article describes HRCSOs on three levels: (a) the individual that establishes a radical habitus and acquires the identity of a harm reduction activist through identity construction; (b) the collective of activists that, through the creation of trust, becomes an HRCSO with its structures, programs, and resources; and (c) the harm reduction social movement that, through cooperation and conflict, becomes a field of activism. The study seeks to have two contributions to literature: (a) providing a preliminary mapping of the anatomy of HRCSOs and the field in which they operate; and (b) sensitizing society and decision-makers on the transcendence of these organizations for social and political life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal Public Administration & Social Management / Administração Pública e Gestão Social is the property of Administracao Publica e Gestao Social and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The object of this study is the stability of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of Eastern Europe during crisis phenomena with signs of social and technological transformations. The subject of research is the processes of transformations in the external and internal environment of the activities of non-governmental organizations, which have an impact on sustainability. The sustainability of non-governmental organizations is examined through the Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index (CSOSI). CSOSI allows measuring the impact of global crisis phenomena on the sustainability of an NGO based on the analysis of a number of components. The research was aimed at solving the task to find influencing factors on the activities of non-governmental organizations during the manifestation of crises of various directions. During the study, influencing factors were identified: organizational capacity, society’s perception of the organization, and sectoral infrastructure. It is noted that the realm of technological development belongs to the sectoral infrastructure. On the one hand, the imperfection of technology can cause a crisis. On the other hand, technological innovations allow non-governmental organizations to overcome crises. It has been proven that NGO access to new technologies serves as a basis for ensuring the sustainability of the organization. A regression analysis of the influence of factors on the CSOSI index was carried out. An economic-mathematical model was built on this basis. The model proved the significance of the studied indicators, as their p-value remains below 0.05 (p≤0.05). As a result, this has made it possible to propose an improved model for the development of social innovations under conditions of crisis and uncertainty. The reported results could be used by the founders of NGOs, analytical and consulting companies to construct forecasts of the development of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The civil society midwife democratic government in 1999. They fought for it. Although, some died in the process of agitating for democracy, and the fundamental human rights and rule of law are firmly entrenched including the freedom of association, free movement, speech among others. The paper argues that today’s democratic government was worked for but those who work for it did not participate in the transition program since the military in their characteristics are maradonic particularly that of General Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida keep transition program in perplexity and continuous. The failure of the leaders and members of civil organizations to participate is responsible for the crisis of governance. Those elected into governments across the states including the federal government largely masquerading behind politics as governance output. The paper is of the view that the civil society organization in the country cannot claim irresponsible to Nigerians, since they ushered in democratic rule, therefore, efforts must be geared towards validating the purpose of democracy and dividends of democratic governance in Nigeria.

Brazil's favela residents have long challenged the dominant media and social narrative that has, for decades, described them via discourses of criminality. This article examines the work of Redes da Maré, a civil society organization that offers cultural spaces and services for community-based creation and diffusion of the arts in its namesake favela. We employ the concepts of the social imaginary as well as individual and collective agency to investigate whether and in what ways a service-providing civil society organization that has adopted a cultural development approach encourages participants' democratic attitudes and behaviors at the organizational and community level to challenge existing systemic social oppression by fostering participation in the development process and offering a platform for the expression of the voices of those it engages. Our analysis is based in part on interviews with 4 lead organizers and participants in Redes' Free Dance School of Maré. Our analysis contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the roles the arts can play in encouraging democratic agency and possibility among favela citizens despite adverse political and social conditions exacerbated by neoliberal beliefs and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the understanding of power structures in civil society by the exploring organizational connections of leaders holding multiple top-level leadership positions in resource-rich civil society organizations (CSOs) in Sweden. Based on unique association network data among national level CSOs collected in 2018, we discuss possible explanations behind the observed clusters of organizational connections via leader interlocks. Our results show that the resource-rich, national CSOs in Sweden are highly connected with each other via leader interlocks. We find that working within similar policy areas, sharing similar ideological backgrounds or historical legacies, and being a member of sectoral umbrella organizations or federations are among the salient characteristics of CSOs connected via leader interlocks. We suggest a multilevel understanding of leader interlocks among CSOs, including those at the individual level, as an avenue for further research. The focus on the individual level explanation would allow an understanding of the field of CSOs through the lens of an elite phenomenon rather than an organization-centered view.

The purpose of the article is to clarify the peculiarities of the functioning civil society institutions Ukraine during the martial law. This became possible through the analysis of constitutional provisions, which are fundamental guarantees ensuring their activity; determination of certain aspects constitutional provision citizens’ right of to association during martial law, identification of contradictions between the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine and other laws that determine the peculiarities functioning civil society institutions. Specialists in various fields of law, including A. Kolodii, N. Filyk, Y. Bysaga, S. Kyrychenko V. Korniienko, O. Lotiuk, H. Berchenko, P. Liubchenko, S. Kovalchuk, have dealt with constitutional foundations of the formation of civil society. However, the new threats posed by the military actions, changes in the legal system necessitate additional detailed scientific analysis. Research methods. The author’s methodological analysis included a number of general scientific and special scientific methods of cognition, the application of which made it possible to reveal the essence of the proposed problem. The method of analysis and synthesis, systematic methods of scientific knowledge, the method of comparative jurisprudence and synergetic method were used. In particular, the method of comparative jurisprudence was used to identify contradictions and inconsistencies between the legal provisions of the Constitution and some other laws of Ukraine. Synergetic method allowed to state binary nature of legal reality and uncertainty in a martial law. Results and conclusions. According to the results of the analysis of the constitutional provisions, it was determined that the basis of the functioning of civil society institutions is the rights and freedoms of a person and a citizen. In the conditions of martial law, some of the rights and freedoms of a person may be violated. Given the presence of threats to national security, the management of state institutions is being strengthened. Strengthened state regulatory activity consists in granting additional powers to its bodies and institutions. This also affects the peculiarities of the activities of non-state entities, which are institutions of civil society. Some inconsistencies between the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine and the laws that determine the procedure for the creation and functioning of civil society institutions have been revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the efforts of civil society organizations to influence climate change policymaking in three countries with very different traditions of democratic decision making are compared: in a newly developed democracy (Indonesia), in an established democracy in the Global South (India), and in an established democracy in the Global North with an exceptionally strong civil society (Finland). The empirical material consists of 57 in-depth interviews with Civil Society Organization (CSO) representatives. The following three arguments about CSO influence in climate change politics are made: (1) the nation-state is an important avenue of influence for most CSOs, alongside global institutions; (2) CSOs influence states through specific contact points, rather than by challenging the state as a uniform entity; and (3) CSO actors' perception of influence in climate politics may be stronger where state capacity is weaker, rather than where civil society itself is strong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advocacy by civil society organizations such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is especially challenging in a constraining political context. The Government of China has invited such organizations to assist in addressing emergent environmental problems while also limiting political challenges from them. NGOs need to respond to these political externalities strategically. This paper navigates a quarter-century advocacy voyage by an iconic Chinese environmental NGO—Friends of Nature—discussing how the organization adapted to meet internal organization challenges within a dynamic, restrictive political environment. We found two major strategic pathways: first, diminishing dependency on influential individual leaders by building institutional competence and reputation; second, strategic specialization in litigation that anticipates opportunities that might emerge as state policies shift, and actively shaping niches to exert impact. This study adds historical insights on an NGO's evolution in China that can benefit other civil society organizations that face significant political, social, or legal challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty years after communism's demise, Polish civil society is, decidedly, self-sustaining, and wide-ranging, with activism focused on various issues, from the natural environment to education reform to reproductive rights. This paper uses data from interviews and a nationally representative survey to explore the evolution of activism in Poland and specifically the claim that Polish citizens are more likely to engage in civic action when these efforts concern everyday social problems, rather than abstract political ideals. We argue that since 2015, the Polish government is, indeed, attempting to direct civil society's growth and development, thereby shrinking the space for activism, especially for liberal, progressive organizations. Yet, this is only a part of a more complex and interesting picture of activism that is also shifting, with individuals focusing on new issues and mobilization tactics, and strengthening through the creation of networks, and groups that work on different sectors but join forces. Thus, although some citizens are mobilizing around local, social concerns, intangible, political issues remain important, with Poles participating in activities online and in person to defend the rule of law and judicial freedom. Polish citizens are also regularly protesting limitations on reproductive rights and in support of gay rights. Thirty years of change and democracy in Poland have produced a dynamic and diverse civil society that is, simultaneously, shrinking, shifting, and strengthening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article contributes to the understanding of power structures in civil society by exploring organizational connections of leaders holding multiple top-level leadership positions in resourcerich civil society organizations (CSOs) in Sweden. Based on unique association network data among national level CSOs collected in 2018, we discuss possible explanations behind the observed clusters of organizational connections via leader interlocks. Our results show that the resource-rich, national CSOs in Sweden are highly connected with each other via leader interlocks. We find that working within similar policy areas, sharing similar ideological backgrounds or historical legacies, and being a member of sectoral umbrella organizations or federations are among the salient characteristics of CSOs connected via leader interlocks. We suggest a multilevel understanding of leader interlocks among CSOs, including those at the individual level, as an avenue for further research. The focus on the individual level explanation would allow an understanding of the field of CSOs through the lens of an elite phenomenon rather than an organization-centered view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This article argues that Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) associated with immaterial labor can be favorable alternatives to refugee ways of working and living. We present and analyze the performance of three CSOs - in the areas of theater, handicraft, and gastronomy - aimed at the social and labor integration of refugees, based on the valorization of their savoir-faire and ethnic background. The cartographic method was adopted for qualitative exploratory research. The production and collection of data took place through interaction with managers, refugees, and products and services of the CSOs. Three axes of analysis were considered: (i) presentation of the mapped territory; (ii) CSOs modes of action - learning/teaching, (co)producing/exposing (oneself); (iii) (re)invent (oneself) by (co)operating in a network. The results indicate that, despite new global forms of subjection, CSOs associated with immaterial labor, forge and sustain a network of social, affective, productive, and emancipatory cooperation. This network protects work from the vampirization of the capital and becomes opportunities for refugees in which work and life are intertwined.

This article explores how civil society organizations survive multiple regime changes. This is a case study of Junák, a Czech scouting organization, that experienced the shift from democratic capitalism to authoritarian communism and back again. I build on archival and interview data to test how new institutional concepts of the regulative, normative, and cultural-cognitive institutional pressures fare when applied to organizational survival across regime change. I found that Junák responded to institutional pressures through a multiplicity of responses, including isomorphic, ceremonial, and innovative changes as well continuity of selected attributes. During communism, ceremonial change prevailed, helping the CSO to preserve some of its organizational aspects. After 1989, Junák opted for a combination of change and continuity. This case study raises new questions about voluntarism in Central and Eastern Europe during authoritarianism and its impact on civil society and its organizations after 1989. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: With the transition of political, economic, and social scenario in Bhutan, the civil society organizations (CSOs) have been expanding over the years. However, a paucity of trained social workers in Bhutan has compelled the CSOs to recruit employees with varying degrees. Considering such situation, this study was designed to understand the efficacy of Bhutan's first-ever certificate course in social work offered by Samtse College of Education from the vantage point of the participants. Method: It adopted a convergent parallel mixed-method design, primarily employing questionnaires and semistructured individual interviews. Results: The study found the certificate course to be highly effective in enhancing the professional competence of the social workers in Bhutan. Discussion: The study supports the need to provide similar courses to hundreds of untrained social workers in Bhutan who are aspiring to upgrade their professional competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the political role of Civil Society Organization (CSOs) in peacebuilding in South Sudan. Specifically, the study investigated the political and socio-economic contribution of CSOs in the peacebuilding processes in South Sudan. Descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study, while three cities - Juba, Aweil and Malakal were selected as study areas and representatives of the three regions of South Sudan. The study population was 620,510, from which a sample size of 399 respondents were determined through Slovene's formula. Data was collected through simple random sampling using questionnaire. Result of data analyses shows that CSOs have made significant positive political and socio-economic contribution towards peacebuilding in South Sudan. On political contribution, they have been involved in lobbying for electoral process reforms, sensitizing the population on conflict de-escalation, organizing dialogue sessions focusing on social cohesion for community members (particularly the youths) and pushing for constitutional review among others. On the socio-economic contribution, the study reveals that CSOs have made significant contribution to both physical and economic reconstruction of South Sudan by reconstructing schools and hospitals and creating jobs. Also, they have been at the forefront of reintegration and resettlement of Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs), lobbying for reforms in land acquisition process with the goal of improving agricultural production and ensuring food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development goals (SDG) requires addressing the social complexity from active participation, where the global is based on the local. Civil society organizations (CSO) have a relevant role in global citizenship education (GCE) through networking, especially in rural areas, where the need for sustainable development becomes more evident. In this descriptive-exploratory analysis, the role of CSOs in the rural area of the province of Zaragoza is analyzed through a questionnaire on their performance in the surroundings and through their virtual spaces of communication. The results show the need for more planning and networking. The GCE actions address, in an interrelated manner, different SDGs and allow a new approach to the areas of intervention in line with the approach of the 2030 Agenda.

Globalization and ongoing change processes are creating new demands for society, business organizations and educational institutions, driving the development of learning technologies, new strategies and patterns. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are strategically important participants in societal development, which are expected to play an important role in improving governance and regulations, increasing transparency and involving the public in addressing issues. Due to the lack of human and financial resources, it is difficult for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Lithuania to delve deeper into existing issues and their essence as well as to provide concrete and qualitative solutions. In order to improve the involvement of society in solving societal issues and assist CSOs, higher educational institutions together with students and lecturers need to be involved in solving societal problems through scientific research. The paper analyzes the phenomenon of involvement of civil society organizations in solving societal problems and reveals the problems faced by CSOs, discusses how cooperation between civil society organizations and higher education institutions has taken place and how the public should be more actively involved in solving societal problems. A qualitative research was conducted using a semi-structured interview method. The study used targeted sampling. Interviews were conducted with 7 CSOs: 2 associations, 1 volunteer organization, 1 union, 2 public entities (NGOs), 1 community-based group , located in Vilnius and Klaipėda. The results of the study revealed the problems and difficulties faced by CSOs. Three categories “Societal problems/issues addressed by CSOs“, “Difficulties encountered by CSOs in solving societal problems/issues” and “Trends of collaboration between CSOs and HEIs in terms of research” reveal CSOs attitudes to the need for research, current collaboration with HEIs and trends of possible future It was identified that CSOs address the following issues: socialization problems, sectoral issues, lack of awareness and education. However, it has emerged that some interviewees not only found it difficult to identify societal problems in a broader sense, but also had a rather superficial perception of the research (in other words research activity was considered basically as unrelevant and incomprehensible for them). Interviewees often related societal problems only to professional (specific organizational) issues and organization's activities, which again confirms that research is neither a priority nor an important part of their activities in the future. CSOs addressing societal challenges encounter the following difficulties: lack of public services, lack of collaboration, insufficient financial resources, lack of information, lack of professionals. Interviews revealed that the majority of CSOs representatives did not have any experience of collaboration with HEIs in terms of research; they had some certain specific interactions and joint projects, but not for research. The following trends of possible collaboration between CSOs and HEIs are identified: conducting research, organizing conferences and events, conducting training, dissemination of CSOs activities.

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Development Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Social Policy Studies / Sosyal Politika Çalismalari Dergisi is the property of Journal of Social Policy Studies / Sosyal Politika Calismalari Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ingeneral, condition of rivers in Indonesia is degraded and polluted. River restoration is effort to recover the function and natural conditions of river. The government has implemented several programs to improve some degraded rivers. Civil society organizations (CSO) and communities have initiated various actions to restore the rivers in some regions. By positioning the concept of river restoration as part of environmental movement, the article describes the Karang Mumus river restoration initiated by a CSO in the city of Samarinda. The CSO has practiced environmental education as an entry point and platform of actions for river restoration. The environmental education has engaged individuals and social groups in the city. They have learned and practiced actions to restore the river. Even though the more actions are still needed to recover the river, to some extent the CSO has been able to put river restoration as a centre of environmental activism in the city. Kondisi umum sungai-sungai di Indonesia adalah rusak dan tercemar. Restorasi sungai adalah upaya untuk mengembalikan fungsi dan kondisi alamiah dari sungai. Pemerintah telah mengimplementasikan berbagai program untuk memperbaiki kondisi sungai yang rusak dan tercemar. Berbagai komunitas dan organisasi masyarakat sipil (OMS) telah mengambil prakarsa untuk melakukan restorasi sungai di sejumlah daerah. Dengan menempatkan restorasi sungai sebagai bagian dari gerakan lingkungan, artikel ini memaparkan gerakan restorasi sungai Karang Mumus di Kota Samarinda. OMS mempraktikkan pendidikan lingkungan sebagai titik masuk dan platform aksi dalam melakukan upaya restorasi sungai. Pendidikan lingkungan telah mampu melibatkan warga individual dan kelompok-kelompok sosial di kota ini. Mereka belajar dan mempraktikan aksi-aksi restorasi sungai. Meskipun masih dibutuhkan lebih banyak aksi, sampai pada tingkat tertentu, OMS telah mampu menempatkan aksi-aksi restorasi sungai Karang Mumus sebagai titik pusat aktivisme lingkungan di Kota Samarinda.

The article is devoted to the problem of social audit as a social technology for regulating activities of civil society organizations. The aim of the article is to determine optimization directions for CSOs regulation in Zaporizhzhia region. Hypothesis – the greater the incompetence of the decision-makers during registration, the greater quantity of errors and violations in the official register of CSO. The main research method is document analysis (content analysis). Research objects is registration data on the open CSO data register of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine “CSO Register” (http://rgo.informjust.ua/). It was determined that the information in the register is structured partially. Most of CSOs do not provide complete information during registration, which leads to situations “not to be found” in a huge number of records based on the existing search parameters. The positive aspect of social audit is the search for inconsistencies or errors in the official documentation. Therefore, the more incompetence of decision makers during registration (both founders and representatives of the registration authorities), the greater volume of errors and violations in official documentations of CSO. In general, it was determined that the current state of the CSO register in Ukraine is extremely terrible and requires full revision and control of both the submission procedures and the procedures for the disclosure of data to the web resource for open access. The necessity of these procedures is due not only to the need to standardize the primary information about the subjects of the civil space of Ukraine, but also because information from this register is a visiting card of our CSOs. The less the opportunity to obtain the necessary information, the less likely it is to involve relevant organizations or unions in the processes of building democratic society in Ukraine. Therefore, the whole set of recommendations was divided into three categories: 1) for CSOs; 2) for the government and 3) for local authorities / donors.