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Civil Society Building and Institutional Development
Programs: Civil Society Building and Institutional Development
A strong civil society is needed for the growth and development of democracy. Civil society represents the reservoir of resources -- political, economic, cultural, and moral -- to complement and, when necessary, to check the power of the State. A dynamic and diverse civil society directly stimulates social and political participation, increasing the involvement and commitment of citizens and promoting an appreciation of the obligations as well as the rights of citizenship. By providing many potential avenues for political, economic and social expression, a civil society with a rich associational life gives people a stronger stake in the social order. This, in turn, creates a climate within which mutual respect, tolerance, negotiation, and compromise actually makes sense, and flourishes.
ADF focuses on strengthening civil society as a sector by building networks and coalitions, increasing contact and collaboration between civil society and other sectors (including government), and improving the legal and regulatory environment impacting civil society development. ADF programs develop a civil society that is able to mobilize citizens, represent constituencies, participate in the development of public policy, ensure government accountability, foster respect for human rights, provide for the rule of law, and promote reforms to strengthen democratic governance.
In assisting the institutional development of civil society organizations, ADF combines formal training with tailored technical assistance services to individual organizations. This approach is often complemented by financial support for practical experience in applying new knowledge and skills. ADF improves CSO capacity in areas such as: strategic planning; organizational development and administration; internal governance, membership development, mobilization of constituencies; advocacy; program design, monitoring and evaluation; financial management; and resource mobilization. Participating organizations learn to better sustain themselves as institutions in order to make enduring contributions to democracy.
Civil society building and institutional development are part of all of ADF’s programs throughout the world.
Iraq Civil Society and Independent Media Program
The Iraq Civil Society and Independent Media Support Program (ICSP), supported by USAID/Iraq contract #GEW-C-00-04-00001-00 from September 2004 through June 2007 is implemented by America’s Development Foundation (ADF). ICSP fosters participatory and democratic governance in Iraq by strengthening civil society’s role in the country’s economic, political and social development. ADF works directly with Iraqi civil society organizations (CSOs) to bolster their capacity to be effective citizen-based interest groups and claim a leading role in enhancing local governance and participating in national policy-making processes. Almost 2000 Iraqi CSOs have directly participated and benefited from ICSP programs and these CSOs have in turn engaged many more thousands of other Iraqi citizens, organizations and government institutions. This successful U.S. NGO-managed program supports Iraqi efforts to strengthen civil society and promote democratic governance...
Highlights Mozambique: Civil Society Proposing Policy Alternatives Project
Mozambique is considered to have had a successful war-to-peace transition. The challenges facing Mozambique in its efforts to consolidate political reforms in its new democratic system and institutions are great...
Highlights: Project Summary for Romanians for Serbian Democracy
ADF implemented the Romanians for Serbian Democracy program, locally referred to as the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), with support from USAID/Romania in 2000-2001...
Highlights: Russia
One of ADF’s primary partners for civil society development in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union is the International Charitable Foundation for Political and Legal Research (Interlegal). Interlegal is a Russian NGO established in 1989 to promote the growth and development of the NGO sector throughout the former USSR. ADF has worked with Interlegal since 1992 with funding from USAID and private foundations. The range of successful collaborative projects includes: 1) research and educational programs to build public understanding and support for the NGO sector; 2) legal consulting services for NGOs to facilitate their registration and organizational development; 3) technical assistance to voluntary organizations for developing their public policy and advocacy platforms; and 4) information clearinghouses to encourage collaboration among voluntary organizations at the local, national, and international levels. Joint programs have been conducted in Russia, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Highlights Haiti: Democracy Enhancement Project
ADF received funding from the USAID-funded Democracy Enhancement Project (DEP) over a period of eight years, from 1991-1999, to support the development of civil society and democratic governance in Haiti...
Proposal Writing Training Manual English
ADF Proposal Writing Manual developed for Iraq.
ICSP Financial Management - Arabic
ICSP Financial Management (Language: Arabic)
ICSP Fund Raising Manual - Arabic
ICSP Fund Raising Manual (Language: Arabic)
Organization Assessment Tool - Arabic
Organization Assessment Tool (Language: Arabic)
TOT Trainee Guide - Arabic
Training of Trainers Trainee Guide (Language: Arabic)
ADF/MRCHR NGO Management Workshop, Moscow
Institutional Development/Evaluation Workshop Held in Moscow for Interlegal
Community Meeting
Iraq Civil Society Conference