Civil Society Index – Overview
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The CIVICUS Civil Society Index

Civil society plays an increasingly important role in governance and development around the world. In most countries, however, knowledge about the basic contours and state of civil society is limited. Additionally, there are few opportunities for civil society actors to come together to discuss and reflect on the current state of civil society and the challenges it faces. The CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI) is an action-research project that aims to assess the state of civil society in countries around the world, with a view to creating a knowledge base and an impetus for civil society strengthening initiatives. The CSI is initiated and implemented by, and for, civil society organisations. However, it also actively involves, and disseminates its findings to a broad range of stakeholders including governments, donors, academics and the public at large.

Goals
  • Enhance the strength and sustainability of civil society
  • Strengthen civil society's contribution to positive social change.
Objectives
  1. To generate and share useful and relevant knowledge on the state of civil society; and
  2. Strengthen civil society's contribution to positive social change.
Outcomes
  1. A body of relevant and useful knowledge on the state of civil society and civil society strengthening practices at national and cross-national level.
  2. Sharing of knowledge on the state of civil society within the participating countries as well as internationally.
  3. Increased participation among a broad range of civil society stakeholders in assessing civil society.
  4. Improved dialogue among civil society stakeholders on the state of civil society.
  5. The promotion of networking among civil society stakeholders at the national level.
  6. Common understanding of the state of civil society among a broad range of stakeholders.
  7. Increased self-awareness of civil society actors of being part of civil society.
  8. Agreement among civil society stakeholders on strategies for strengthening Civil Society.
  9. Increased capacities of civil society stakeholders in action-research.
  10. Methodological contribution to the field of action-research and civil society studies.

Outputs
  1. An action agenda for civil society strengthening.
  2. A comprehensive and accessible state of civil society country report.
  3. The identification of specific strengths and weaknesses of civil society in a country.
  4. A global report highlighting on cross country comparisons and enumerating best practices.
  5. The documentation of methodology and processes of the project implementation.
  6. A toolkit that enumerates the methodology and steps in undertaking the CSI.
  7. A global conference that would highlight the findings of the project.
  8. Series of analytical research papers on the CSI.


Approach

The CSI assesses four different dimensions of civil society and summarises its findings in the form of a diamond:

  • Structure: What is the internal make-up of civil society? How large, vibrant and representative is civil society in terms of individuals and organisations?
  • Environment: What is the political, socio-economic, cultural and legal environment in which civil society exists? Are these factors enabling or disabling to civil society?
  • Values: Does civil society practise and promote positive social values?
  • Impact: What is the impact of civil society? Is it effective in resolving social, economic, and political problems, and in serving the common good?
The Civil Society Diamond1

The CIVICUS Civil Society Diamond reveals the current state of civil society and, when mapped over time, illustrates its development


1An analytical framework developed for CIVICUS by Dr. Helmut Anheier of the Centre for Civil Society, London School of Economics.

Linking research and action

The CSI activities are conducted by National Index Teams at a country level, with support from CIVICUS. The findings of the CSI’s research component, based on the four dimensions outlined above, are debated and validated at a national workshop involving a broad range of civil society stakeholders. Here, appropriate strategies and actions to address emerging issues are also discussed. A final country report, including research findings, dimension scores and recommendations for action, is published for national and international readership.

Over 2003-2004, the CSI will be implemented in more than 50 countries, with results expected in late 2004 - 2005

For more information, please contact Volkhart Finn Heinrich, CSI Project Manager at finn@civicus.org.