Implementing the SDGs: The Role of Civil Society Organizations
Why are Civil Society Organizations important? What role do they play in implementing the SDGs, How can they effectively serve as accountability agents in society? these and many more questions sums up why it is imperative that we pay close attention to the role of CSOs in tackling local and global issues.
Civil Society Organization as defined by the World Bank is “the wide array of non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations that have a presence in public life, expressing the interests and values of their members or others, based on ethical, cultural, political, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations.’’
One important way Civil Society Organizations can contribute meaningfully in the implementation of the SDGs is in environments where they can operate freely, where transparency and accountability prevails. Goal 16 calls for “effective, accountable and transparent institutions” as well as “responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making” at all levels and also explicitly demands public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms.
In implementing the SDGs, Government also have a huge role to play in ensuring that they raise awareness and ensure that there is a pool of information available in various languages that can be understood by the most marginalised. CSOs can only do so much, opportunities should be created by governments to ensure that the SDGs are promoted using relevant channels.
Creating an enabling environment also requires that CSOs have access to funding and resources which is only achievable where there is adequate support from the Government and also where there is reduced restrictions. Also, emphasis should be placed on supporting the capacity-strengthening of organizations representing marginalized population groups and grassroots organizations.
What’s the role of CSOs then?
1. Innovative, sustainable yet practical solutions
SDG no. 1 aims to “end poverty in all its forms, everywhere”. Poverty should not be viewed merely as the lack of income and resources, but rather a shortage of interconnected factors resulting in physical and psychological scarceness, lack of voice in decision-making, vulnerability to environmental shocks, and low confidence and self-esteem. In such a context, CSOs can complement government poverty alleviation programs with community-based, tailored assistance using evidence-based, innovative, and sustained solutions to lift people out of poverty.
2. Localizing the global goals, monitoring progress.
The main challenge in advancing the SDGs is to make sure that the goals are effectively translated into national and local policies. In many countries, however, institutional arrangements are not in place to coordinate its implementation at the country level. Data is key to measuring progress, but collection and reporting systems are lacking. In view of its extensive presence on the ground, CSOs can contribute to localizing the SDGs, and monitoring progress. In Nigeria, organizations like BUDGIT use an array of tech tools to simplify the budget and matters of public spending for citizens, with the primary aim of raising the standard of transparency and accountability in government and they achieve this through partnerships with civil society organizations.
3. Promoting citizen-centric, collaborative governance.
Most CSOs in developing countries in Africa operate at grassroots levels, and thus in general have active engagement with local actors and citizens. They can capitalize on their social mobilization competencies and strong presence in the local social network to draw feedback from citizens on the delivery of public services.
Founded in 2012, Connected Development [CODE] is a non-government organization [NGO] whose mission is to empower marginalized communities in Africa. They strengthen local communities by creating platforms for dialogue, enabling informed debate, and building the capacities of citizens on how to hold their government accountable through Follow The Money. CODE provides marginalized and vulnerable communities with resources to amplify their voices with independence and integrity while providing the communities with information that ushers social and economic progress.
4. Advocating for the poor.
In 2016, A coalition of civil society organisations launched a campaign to amplify Nigerian citizens’ demands that the government fulfil its promises and save the health system by funding the 2014 National Health Act and by allocating 1% of the consolidated revenue fund to primary health care centres in Nigeria.
Apart from budget planning, CSOs can act as pressure groups to lobby governments to identify development priorities so policies and programs are based on local needs, as well as available opportunities and capacities. They can influence governments to adopt new and better approaches to addressing poverty and other societal ills.
Reference
https://blogs.adb.org/blog/5-ways-csos-can-help-advance-sdgs