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Effective Engagement of Civil Society in Development
  • Level Professional
  • Duration 13 hours
  • Course by Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • Offered by

About

Civil society organizations (CSOs) are key actors in development that have valuable contributions to make. They play a multitude of roles - including in relation to humanitarian assistance, service-delivery, research and policy development, and pursuing accountability from governments and other stakeholders – all of which can significantly contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CSOs are expected to play a critical role in implementing the SDGs and in monitoring their progress. It is therefore urgent that CSOs meaningfully and effectively engage in development processes. But what is needed for CSOs to be able to do so? This Online Interactive Guidance offers some answers to that question. It takes participants through a history of the international commitments that call for this multi-stakeholder collaboration; what this means in practice for different development actors; and the benefits that can ensue through means of good practice examples from countries across the globe. Learning objectives Following the completion of the 5 modules of the Online Interactive Guidance, participants will be able to: • Describe the rationale behind the need to engage civil society in development processes; • Define the CSO enabling environment and CSO development effectiveness as key components to ensuring effective engagement of CSOs in development; • Recall the international commitments on the CSO enabling environment and CSO development effectiveness; • Distinguish the roles and responsibilities of different development actors in ensuring effective engagement of CSOs in development; • Identify practical ways in which governments, donors and civil society can engage to create a CSO enabling environment and ensure CSO development effectiveness; • Identify good practices for a CSO enabling environment and development effectiveness; • Indicate the benefits that can ensue from implementing good practices; • Translate the international commitments and apply these to their own context. Methodology This Online Interactive Guidance consists of five modules developed around the overall learning objectives. Each module starts with an animated video introducing the topic and is followed by good practice examples; insights from the field in the form of video interviews; in-depth readings; and an online activity. Set-up The Online Guidance will lead participants through the modules that each play a part in creating an environment in which CSOs can meaningfully and effectively contribute to implementation and monitoring of international development processes. > Module 1 will examine the CSO-related commitments that the international community has subscribed to and will provide an introduction to the four ways in which these can be realized. > Module 2 will explore the means towards creating effective multi-stakeholder dialogue, which is key to creating a CSO enabling environment. > Module 3 will examine CSOs’ own responsibility in ensuring their effectiveness, accountability and transparency in their day-to-day operations. > Module 4 will delve into how providers of official development cooperation can effectively work with and for CSOs. > Module 5 is the concluding module and will examine how a country’s rules and regulations can determine an enabling environment for CSOs to operate in. Completion Participants who have completed the 5 modules can request a certificate extended by the Task Team on CSO Development Effectiveness & Enabling Environment.

Modules

Background information

    • 2 Readings
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2 Readings

  • About this Online Interactive Guidance
  • Information about the Task Team

Introduction

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Civil Society as a key player in development

2 Readings

  • Module 1: Civil Society as a key player in development
  • Types of CSOs in development

The Development Context

    • 4 Readings
Show info about module content

4 Readings

  • Which development arenas are most relevant to the effective engagement of CSOs in development processes?
  • Video: Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Video: Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC)
  • The four principles of effective development cooperation

The International Commitments

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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1 Readings

  • In-depth readings

Insights from the field

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Insights from the field "civil society as a key player in development"

1 Readings

  • Introduction to the video on insights from the field

Theoretical framework

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • The Four-Part Framework on CSO development effectiveness and enabling environment

Discussion forum

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • How is your country faring?

Quiz & Looking ahead

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Effective civil society engagement in international development

1 Readings

  • Looking ahead at Module 2: Multi-stakeholder dialogue

Introduction

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Multi-stakeholder dialogue

1 Readings

  • Module 2: Multi-stakeholder dialogue as a key component of the CSO enabling environment

Good practice examples

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Plugin
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Can you think of another good practice example?

1 Readings

  • Good practice examples of multi-stakeholder dialogue

Insights from the field

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Insights from the field "The challenges and opportunities of multi-stakeholder dialogue"

1 Readings

  • Introduction to the video on insights from the field

In-depth readings

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • In-depth readings on multi-stakeholder dialogue

Quiz & looking ahead

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Multi-stakeholder dialogue

1 Readings

  • Looking ahead at Module 3: CSO Development Effectiveness

Introduction

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • CSO Development Effectiveness, Accountability & Transparency

1 Readings

  • Module 3: CSO Development Effectiveness - what can CSOs do themselves?

Good practice examples

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • Good practice examples of CSO development effectiveness, accountability & transparency

Insights from the field

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Insights from the field "CSO development effectiveness: challenges and opportunities both on the ground and at global level"

1 Readings

  • Introduction to the video on insights from the field

In-depth readings

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • In-depth readings on CSO development effectiveness, accountability & transparency

Discussion forum

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Can you share any examples of progress in achieving development effectiveness?

Quiz & looking ahead

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • CSO development effectiveness, accountability & transparency

1 Videos

  • Sneak peek – Official Development Cooperation with CSOs

1 Readings

  • Looking ahead at Module 4: Official Development Cooperation with CSOs

Introduction

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Official Development Cooperation with CSOs

1 Readings

  • Module 4: Official Development Cooperation with CSOs - the role of donors

Good practice examples

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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1 Readings

  • Good practice examples of Official Development Cooperation with CSOs

Insights from the field

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Insights from the field “Walk the Talk": effective donor engagement with civil society

1 Readings

  • Introduction to the video on insights from the field

In-depth readings

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • In-depth readings on Official Development Cooperation with CSOs

Discussion forum

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Do you have any examples of effective donor support to CSOs in your country?

Quiz & looking ahead

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Official Development Cooperation with CSOs

1 Readings

  • Looking ahead at Module 5: The Legal and Regulatory Environment

Introduction

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • An enabling legal and regulatory environment for CSOs

1 Readings

  • Module 5: The legal and regulatory environment - the role of governments

Good practice examples

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Plugin
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Compare the examples to your own environment

1 Readings

  • Good practice examples of an enabling legal and regulatory environment for CSOs

Insights from the field

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Insights from the field "Effective engagement of civil society at the country level: what does this mean in practice"
  • Insights from the field – Statement by the UN Special Rapporteur on Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association

2 Readings

  • Introduction to the video on insights from the field "Effective engagement of civil society at the country level"
  • Introduction to video on insights from the field – Statement by UN Special Rapporteur

In-depth readings

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • In-depth readings on the legal and regulatory environment for CSOs

Discussion forum

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Any last thoughts?

Quiz & Closing

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • The legal and regulatory environment for CSOs

1 Readings

  • Closing – how to get involved

Auto Summary

"Effective Engagement of Civil Society in Development" is a professional-level course designed to enhance the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Led by Coursera experts, this comprehensive online guidance spans five modules, each featuring animated videos, interviews, readings, and activities. Over 780 minutes, participants will learn about international commitments, multi-stakeholder dialogue, CSO accountability, and effective cooperation. Upon completion, learners can earn a certificate. Subscription options include Starter and Professional, making it suitable for individuals committed to personal development in the development sector.

Sanne Huesken
Instructor

Sanne Huesken