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Report of AGNA regional meetings
23 November 2014, Johannesburg
Objective:
The aim of the regional meetings was to set up informal networks of networks in each of the regions
represented in AGNA. The sessions focused on discussions of common trends, challenges and
opportunities per regional area in order to identify regional priorities and an agenda of action.
These regional meetings allowed AGNA members to set the ball rolling, start the exchange of ideas
and knowledge, share examples and case studies, and begin to build a network of people looking to
influence and to make a change with a regional focus.
The identification and approval of regional priorities will allow AGNA’s Secretariat and the Steering
Committee of the network to better support the work of its members and contribute to the
networking and collaboration between them.
Methodology:
Participants were divided in 4 regional groups composed by representatives of Africa, The Americas
and the Caribbean, Asia and Pacific, and Europe (for the list of participants please see Annex 1). Due
to the scarce representation of members from the MENA and Middle East this year’s meeting did not
include a group representing such region.
Each group counted with a facilitator and a note taker that reported back into plenary. The discussions
had the following structure:
1. State of civil society in each country: Each member representative briefed the group on the state of civil society in their country, focusing on main trends, dynamics, challenges and opportunities.
2. Common trends, dynamics, challenges and opportunities: Once each participant briefed the group, the next step was to identify what are the common trends, dynamics, challenges and opportunities for CS and National Associations in each region. These were be noted down in order to present in plenary in the afternoon and inform the identification of priority areas of work per region. Brainstorming and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis were used as tools in the discussions.
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3. Stakeholder identification: This exercise helped participants in each region come up with a list of stakeholders/actors that influence or could influence the state of civil society at the regional level, whether they are donors, regional networks, regional governmental bodies, governments, private companies or foundations, etc. The idea behind this exercise was to be aware of who is who in the landscape of actors that have a role to play in the health and state of civil society in the region, and to identify who should AGNA be targeting in its regional work as partners, allies, donors or targets of advocacy work.
4. Priorities of action: Based on the identification work done, each group came up with a list of priority actions for the region. These priority actions specified the following:
Priority areas of work/focus for the region for the year Nov.2014-Nov. 2015 (i.e. enabling environment, advocacy, resource mobilization, networking, LTA, membership, capacity development and knowledge generation, etc.).
Expected outcomes and deliverables (i.e. regional reports, joint initiatives, case studies, joint fundraising etc.)
Key stakeholders to engage as a regional group.
Expected support from the Secretariat/Coordinator, CIVICUS and the Steering Committee.
Time and Venue:
The regional meetings took place on the 23rd of November from 9:00 to 17:00 at the University of
Witwatersrand, Science Stadium, room 103.
Summary of the key areas of discussion:
Besides the particularities of CS in each of the countries and regions represented in the session,
there were certain elements that came up in most of the discussions and could be identified as
common trends within the AGNA constituency:
• Enabling environment and Government relations: legal framework, spaces for engagement
and monitoring government’s accountability and transparency.
• Legitimacy, transparency and accountability (LTA) and need for strengthening capacities of
NAs.
• Sustainability of CSOs and NAs/platforms.
• Gap between citizens and CSOs: how to bridge that gap.
• Relations with the government and how to identify spaces for collaboration and influence.
• Coordination/trust within the sector: between CSOs and NAs/platforms, between
NAs/platforms from different countries, and between these and IGOs. How to learn from
IGOs.
• Member’s engagement and participation in AGNA as a global hub and in each of the AGNA
national/regional members.
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• The need to link levels of action: local, national, regional and international level.
• The role of new technologies and how to make the best use of them to strengthen
NAs/platforms and AGNA.
• Cross cutting issues: advocacy and capacity development.
Feedback from the regional groups:
The following summary per region is structured following the key areas of discussion agreed before
the meeting. As many aspects identified were not necessarily considered threats of weaknesses, the
summary highlights main trends, challenges, opportunities and priorities of action.
Group 1: Asia-Pacific
Trends
CS is working more closely with government on more appropriate legislation for CS.
The shift towards electronic communities has increased the opportunities for collaboration within the
sector
NGO sector agendas driven by donor priorities
Electronic systems make the government agencies, public servants and CS as a whole more
accountable but there is still a big space for improvement in the quality and regularity of the
information provided.
Member based platforms have the respect from governments, they are seen as more legitimate.
CS is committed and adhered to social Development principles
Challenges
Sometimes INGOs are threats to national CS as they have big budgets, more influence and implement
their own programmes without coordination with local stakeholders. The most capable local staff
move to INGOs weakening local CSOs human capacity.
In some countries, non-state actors and other state actors, unions, rebel groups and NGOs are
established by politicians to control external funding (especial case in disaster relief).
The space for rights based organisations is shrinking, as well as the funding opportunities.
Increasing challenges in seeking CSOs sustainability when it comes to supporting operational costs and
capital accumulation.
Increasing difficulties in bringing people together due to distance within countries and between them,
the cultural diversity and the multiple languages.
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While new communication technologies are opening doors to the sector, there is still a gap in access
between urban and rural areas in most countries, resulting in difficulties for applying to funding and
for reporting, communicating and coordinating.
Other stakeholders such as the private companies receive preferential treatment from the
governments. A typical case is the access to visas for attending meetings and conferences, while CSO
representatives struggle to get access to certain countries.
Besides the increase in collaboration and networking, some CSOs are still reluctant to work with others
and learn from others.
Opportunities
Although still in initial stages in different countries and regions, the engagement of the private sector
in CS issues is increasing and opening opportunities for collaboration. However, it also brings up the
issue of legitimacy.
New technologies and access to the internet have facilitated knowledge, communication,
coordination and information.
The arrival of big international organisations open up the door for alternative funding, but they also
receive legitimacy from national CSOs.
Increasing partnerships between CSOs within the same country and internationally.
Priority areas or action
Working towards the creation of a conducive/enabling environment for CSOs in the region.
Exploring and identifying opportunities for building alliances with other actors such as:
- The media (to publicise the work of AGNA and the members of the region)
- UN Agencies (to receive support for participation in CS events, support on influencing the legal
framework affecting CS, especially in new democracies)
- Regional intergovernmental bodies (to support regional CS forums)
Mapping and identification of other national associations/platforms in countries where AGNA has no
members, in order to support them and involve them in our peer learning activities.
Increasing the awareness of regional CSOs and NAs among governments and intergovernmental
bodies in the region by identifying spaces for collaboration, influence and through the dissemination
of information.
Identification of key stakeholders that can support AGNA in the region and promote its work. We could
start by mapping out if there is an Asia-Pacific Press Council, any legal networks, etc.
Increase the number of AGNA members in the region in order to increase the network’s
representation, legitimacy and vibrancy.
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Upcoming events
ADA annual meeting in Bangkok, January 2015
Peer-learning exchange event in Japan, date to be confirmed.
Group 2. Africa
Trends
Strong membership base of the AGNA members from the African region, giving them national
legitimacy.
National associations and platforms in the region have strong connections between the local and
national levels, but also at regional and international levels. They are part of multiple continental
alliances and are well coordinated with other peers at the sub-regional level (i.e. West African civil
Society Forum (WACSOF), SADC Council of NGOs, etc).
Besides the tensions between CS and government in certain countries, NAs do work closely with
governments at times in certain issues of interest such as national development, poverty reduction
and SD 2015.
The AGNA members of the region cover a wide variety of thematic areas and some of them have
strong capacity in mobilising the population and advocating for policy change.
Challenges
Funding sources are decreasing when it comes to supporting certain areas of work such as advocacy,
policy influence, and human rights. National associations and platforms are struggling to ensure their
sustainability as most of the incoming sources of funding are destined to service delivery organisations
and budget support to the government.
This lack of funding is making CS platforms and other CSOs run away from specialization and adapt to
donor priorities. This is creating a gap and lack of alignment between the organised CS agenda and the
real needs of the people.
Increasing use of INGOs by donors is weakening the financial base of the national CSOs, fostering
competition between them at local and national levels.
Internal management and governance is a challenge with weak organisational procedures and
systems. Capacity development in this area becomes then a priority.
Relationships with certain stakeholders such as private sector are still poor and need to be further
explored.
Opportunities
National associations and platforms, through its members, have the opportunity to connect with
grassroots organisations and bridge the gap between formal and informal sector.
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There are multiple opportunities to jointly network and campaign around certain issues such as
enabling environment for CS, SD 2015 and accountability. This will also open doors to further
collaboration with governments and intergovernmental bodies as a regional alliance making use of
new technologies.
The increasing interest of the private sector in implementing social corporate initiatives in the region
could be a good opportunity to explore the role of national platforms in serving as facilitators for this
work.
Priorities of action
Strengthen national associations and platforms capacities through capacity development activities in
the area of advocacy, internal management and governance, self-regulation, accountability and
government relations. The development of these capacities could also help NAs to strengthen the
capacities of their respective national members.
Create a sub-group in the region with those NAs/platforms involved in the post 2015 development
agenda work through initiatives such as SD 2015, Action 2015, Beyond 2015.
Joint fundraising between members of the region and AGNA secretariat.
Development of case studies and good experiences in key areas of work: enabling environment (EENA
project), advocacy and campaigning (SD2015, Action 2015), Open Government Partnership principles,
self-regulation and accountability.
Develop trainings and webinars in the abovementioned areas of interest.
Identify key principles to promote the leadership role of women in CS in Africa: explore the possibility
of having an online campaign on the subject.
Identify and approach regional CS umbrella bodies for collaboration.
Upcoming events
SADC Council of NGOs: Forum in August-September 2015 in Botswana
East Africa NGO Forum in November (location TBC)
National Forum in Egypt under the Building Bridges project: February 2015
World Social Forum in Tunis, March 23 2015
Group 3. Latin America and the Caribbean
Trends
The region counts with a civil society characterised by its diversity.
Members in the region have strong knowledge of transparency and accountability mechanisms.
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Relations between government and CS are weak even after the end of the dictatorship era as the
spaces are still limited and there is tension.
Government funding to CS does exist but in many cases is seen to threat CS’s independence and
autonomy.
Challenges
Main supporting donors have left the region causing a negative impact to CS as a whole as most
countries still need external support. CS without a diversified funding base.
With the diversity of CS comes the fragmentation of the sector, limiting the opportunities for
collaboration and networking.
The legal framework in many countries is restrictive for CS and needs to be reviewed and updated.
Multiple threats to the civic space and CS activists in the last 12 months.
Capacity development is a need for most members of the region, especially in the area of advocacy
and enabling environment.
There is none or very weak fiscal framework to promote donations to CSOs, limiting the development
of a culture of giving within the population in most countries.
Government is adopting CS’s traditional agenda to include in their electoral programmes, without
involvement of CS whatsoever and without follow up of the promised actions.
Members of national platforms and associations are not actively engaged and there’s need to find
ways of encouraging their more active participation.
CS in the region needs to be more connected to the global arena and decision making processes.
Low level of trust from citizens towards organised civil society and from the state to CSOs.
Opportunities
There’s a strong interest and willingness from the members of the network to further engage and
collaborate among them, especially at the regional level with their involvement in campaigns and
forums.
Strong knowledge and useful tools can be shared with members in the region in partnership with
Rendir Cuentas.
CSOs are prepared to start advocating as a region on issues related to funding, LTA, enabling
environment, SD 2015.
There is a strong knowledge between members and other stakeholders to start identifying ways of
diversifying sources of funding (approaching private sector, exploring crowdfunding, social
entrepreneurship, etc.)
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Priorities of action
Share with other AGNA members the tools and learnings of Rendir Cuentas on the area of legitimacy,
transparency and accountability.
Prepare a regional accountability report in collaboration with Rendir Cuentas.
Identify tools and initiatives to promote the reform of legal and regulatory frameworks in the region.
Increase the number of AGNA members in the region in order to strengthen the regional group and
possibilities for learning and collaboration.
Identify areas of collaboration/articulation between AGNA as a whole and IFP (International Forum of
National NGO Platforms)
Peer-learning exchanges between members in the region and other platforms in the areas of:
membership strategies, funding diversification, advocacy, stakeholder engagement.
Upcoming events
ISTR regional conference for Latin America and the Caribbean: Puerto Rico, 5-7 August 2015
Group 4. Europe
Trends
Existence of strong networks of CSOs and strong collaboration of European NAs/platforms. Active
sharing of knowledge, experiences and best practices already in place.
There is a Deep knowledge within our members of the different issues concerning civil society
developments.
Relationships with governments, even if tense in some countries, are already in place or being
stablished in most of the national contexts where AGNA has a member. However, there are also
countries in which the government tries to control the sector as it perceives it as a threat, especially
human rights and advocacy oriented organisations.
Legal frameworks for CS vary significantly from country to country in the region, but a common trend
is the gap between theory (what the law says) and practice (how it is implemented).
New technologies as helping increase CS exchanges and promoting civic participation.
There is a trend in exploring new models of cooperation by the members of the region, especially in
the area of social innovation, renewable energy and social entrepreneurship. These dynamics are
more developed in certain countries and are producing diverse results in terms of impact and
legitimacy. For example, social entrepreneurship is perceived to be producing a negative image of the
sector as a whole in Norway but in other countries it is still in its initial steps and members are willing
to explore its potential for further sustainability of the sector.
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Challenges
Public funding, while it was the main source of funding for CS in many countries in the region, is
experiencing a drastic decrease and affecting the sustainability of CSOs and national
associations/platforms that were very dependent on it. However, in some countries, governments are
still interested in influencing and shaping civil society through public funding.
Diversification of funding sources becomes then vital for the survival and Independence of the sector.
Besides the existing channels of direct communication with the government, in many contexts these
relations are tense and the government instability difficult a harmonic dialogue.
Conservative governments acknowledge the role of CSOs in service delivery but not so much their key
role in developing a country’s social capital.
While informal civic engagement is increasing in certain contexts, it doesn’t relate to formalised CS
and this lack of interest deepens the gap between CSOs and citizens.
Weak engagement of national associations/platform’s constituency at the national and regional level,
and need to identify ways to promote a more active participation and interest.
Opportunities
Multiple good practices in the region to share within the AGNA Network around CSOs-government
relations.
As public funding is decreasing, NGOs are developing new ways for more sustainable financial
resources. Good opportunity to explore as a regional group and to share good practices and
experiences.
The increase of informal civic engagement and volunteerism is a positive trend that can be studied
and further promoted together with new tools to promote citizen action.
Options to deepen regional cooperation between AGNA members on specific issues to strengthen CS
at the regional and national level.
Priority areas of action
Exploring the possibility of promoting networking at a global scale in order to link Europeans to the
rest of the world.
Need to identify and share the role and work of different platforms’ in the region and how these relate
to each other in common goal for enabling civil society development: European Network of National
Associations (ENNA), Concord, UN, Council of Europe, INGOs, etc.
Continue the regular updates on funding opportunities, learning and capacity development that are
sent from the Secretariat.
Identify and share good practices in the promotion of NAs/platform’s member’s engagement: how to
increase involvement and participation?
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Sharing of case studies on how to involve grassroots and the role of informal networks.
Networking and mutual learning: on regulations, methods and best practices, tools (egg. Social
entrepreneurship, public procurement, national agreements, etc)
Need to explore other communication platforms for information sharing and learning within the
Network besides Facebook. An example could be the Powerline Project that offers easy Access and
sharing.
Proposals from Regional Groups January 2015- June 2016:
The following areas were identified as priorities for the period January 2015- June 2016. While still at
the proposal level, the Steering Committee and the Coordinator will continue the conversations with
the members of the network as a whole and region by region to concretize them and translate them
into an action plan with specific deliverables.
Each region will have specific priorities as per described above per group, however, most of the
identified areas of focus are common to all regions and will benefit from the participation of all
members.
• Share experiences of the role of NAs on EE: the enabling environment national assessments
(EENAs); good practices, lessons learnt, recommendations. Exploring an EE tool for NAs?
• Develop a book of good practices on how to mobilize and engage NAs/platform’s members.
• Sharing case studies and successful stories of our network members in diverse areas of work:
enabling environment, government relations, advocacy and campaigning, funding
diversification, accountability and self-regulation, member’s engagement, stakeholder’s
engagement, grassroots’ engagement, impact assessment and networking.
• Develop a study about the work of NAs engaged in the Open Government Partnership (OGP)
and how to link it with the African Peer Review Mechanism.
• Identify joint fundraising opportunities within the network: national, regional and global
level- Identification of funding opportunities for CS networks and platforms.
• Research and share the different areas of work and practices of other networks and INGOs
that share common interests with AGNA members, especially the following: European
Network of National Associations (ENNA), Concord, UN, Council of Europe, ICNL, etc.
• Develop a set of principles for the promotion of women’s leadership in CS and explore the
possibility of having a joint Campaign on women’s leadership in CS. Creation of a sub-group
on the subject?
• Focus on developing the capacities of NAs through trainings and information sharing on: 1.
how to assess EE; 2. accountability; 3. how to run effective advocacy campaigns; 4. internal
governance and management.
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• Develop a paper that summarises the different approaches of the multiple enabling
environment assessment tools around the world.
• Develop a joint paper on the role of NAs/platforms in the Post 2015 agenda. Possible partners
IFP and Action 2015.
• Develop and initiative on accountability and monitoring of Post 2015 agenda. Possible
partners IFP and the Big Development Datashift project (BDD)
• Produce a bi-annual newsletter including: members news, updates on the work of AGNA;
upcoming events and activities. Need for members to provide information on a regular basis.
• Creation of a sub-group of Communication Officers of our members: information
sharing/update on activities. Possibility of creating additional databases of experts at the
national level: membership officers, policy and research officers.
• Exploring new technology platforms for communication/engagement/participation:
PowerlIne, Wangu, Hambisana, etc.
• Produce a letter of support to CS in Hungary and other solidarity actions to showcase the key
role of networks like AGNA in the promotion, protection and strengthening of CS in all parts
of the world.
• Strengthening current partnerships and creation of new ones with other
stakeholders/initiatives: Capacity Development institutions, academia, other CS networks
(Mesa de Articulación, ENNA, ICNL, UNDP, IFP, ADA).
ANNEX 1. List of Participants
Region Country Organisation Name Type of
membership
The
Americas +
Caribbean
1 Dom. Rep
Alianza ONG
Severin Jacques Marie
Carminati
Full member
2 Uruguay ANONG Anabel Cruz Full member
3 Argentina RACI Guillermo Correa Full member
4 Venezuela Sinergia Diana Vegas Full member
5 Colombia CCONG Diana Verdugo Full member
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Africa
6 Nigeria
NNNGO
Oyebisi Babatunde
Oluseyi
Full member
7 Zambia ZCSD Lewis Mwape Full member
8 Uganda NGO Forum Sophie Kange Full member
9 South Africa
SANGOCO
Jacob-Malusi Molapisi
Full member
10 Tanzania TANGO Ngunga Tepani Full member
11 Mauritius MACOSS Samad Sairaly Full member
12 Burkina Faso RESOCIDE Siaka Coulibaly Full member
13 Zimbabwe National Association
of NGOs (NANGO) Cephas Zinhumwe Full member
14 Kenya Kenya National
Council of NGOs Stephen Cheboi Full member
Asia +
Pacific
15 Japan JACO Yoshiharu Shiraishi Full member
16 New Zealand ANGOA Dave Henderson Full member
17 Pakistan PNF Ismail Mohammad Full member
18 Pakistan AwazCDS Zia-ur-Rehman
Associate
member
19 Nepal
NGO Federation of
Nepal Gopal Lamsal
Full member
20 India VANI Harsh Haitli Full member
21 Philippines CODE-NGO Patricia Sarenas
Full member 22 Philippines CODE-NGO Jet Pacapac
Europe
23 UK NCVO Chiara Butti Full member
24 Turkey TUSEV Basak Ersen
Full member 25 Turkey TUSEV Liana Varon
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26 Norway
The Association of
NGOs in Norway Birgitte Brekke
Full member
27 Estonia NENO Maris Jogeva Full member
28
Wales
Wales Council for
Voluntary Action
(WCVA)
Matthew Brown Full member
29 Poland
Polish National
Federation of NGOs Michal Braun Full member
30 Macedonia
BCSDN Ilina Nesikj
Associate
member
31 Finland Kepa Outi Hannula Full member
32 Denmark CISU Erik Vithner
Associate
member
33 Austria IGO Romy Grasgruber-Kerl Full member
Middle East 34
Jordan Partners Jordan
Ibraheem Al Hayek Associate
member
ANNEX 2. Agenda
Time allocation
Agenda item Responsible
9:00-9:15
Welcome and opening
Patricia Deniz, AGNA Coordinator
9:15-9:30
Conformation of groups and distribution of materials Patricia Deniz-Coordinator
9:30-11:00
(1h 30 min.)
Group discussions
Group participants
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State of civil society in each country: main trends, dynamics, challenges and opportunities
11:00-11:15 Tea & coffee break
11:15-11:50
(40 min.)
Group discussions
Common trends, dynamics, challenges and opportunities per region
Group participants
11:50-12:30
(40 min.)
Group discussions
Stakeholder identification
Group participants
12:30-13:30 Lunch
13:30-15:00
(1h 30 min.)
Group discussions
Priorities of action for the region: areas of focus,
outcomes and key partners.
Group participants
15:00-15:15 Tea & coffee break
15:15-16:15
(1 hour)
Report back in plenary by regional groups
Q&A
Group representative
16:15-16:30
(15 min.)
Presentation on the added value of CS networks and
how to strengthen their collaboration
Yoshiharu Shiraishi, JACO Japan and SC member
16:30-16:45 Wrap up session and closure Patricia Deniz, AGNA Coordinator
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