Civil society organisations (CSOs) play a key role in society.
- They run a wide range of development projects, such as income-generating activities or education initiatives that can be effective in reducing poverty.
- They are familiar with local conditions and can often reach out to the very poorest sections of the population.
- They give prominence to important issues such as gender equality and injustice, while serving as channels through which poor and marginalised people can articulate and win support for their needs and interests.
Sida works towards strengthening the capacity of CSOs. We believe that it is possible to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals through participating in and cooperating with CSOs in: economic development; democracy and human rights; and conflict management, peace and security.
CSOs therefore play an important role, both in achieving concrete results in poverty reduction, and by increasing the effectiveness of Swedish aid.
“Our times demand a new definition of leadership – global leadership. They demand a new constellation of international cooperation – governments, civil society and the private sector, working together for a collective global good.” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on January 29, 2009.
