About us
The Civil Society Alliance is a coalition of civil society organisations from across the UK established to empower civil society to scrutinise and influence constitutional, administrative and legal changes in the complex, multidimensional regulatory landscape following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU).
The Civil Society Alliance is a member of the Civil Society Forum (CSF), set up as part of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) to ensure civil society representatives from both Parties can submit their views or recommendations on Part 2 of the Agreement. This includes trade, transport, energy, fisheries, and social security coordination.
Our aims are:
Open and Accountable Lawmaking
Legislating must respect the democratic processes, including the devolved nature of the UK constitution. There must be clear limits and safeguards on executive power. There must be robust parliamentary scrutiny at all levels with appropriate transparency and debate.
A high standards UK
Standards within the UK should not be diminished or undermined, with best practice for rights and standards being maintained or developed and associated policies and funding provided to underpin them. Constitutional or legislative change should not mean weaker standards, fewer rights, or loss of funding. This includes the protection of standards and ensuring that no governance gaps are created following the UK’s exit from the EU.
A strong civil society voice
Civil society bridges the gap between citizens and the state to ensure government takes account of our evidence, views, and interests.
Civil society organisations act as advocates in the public sphere and protects and advances civic space itself.
Civil society needs a culture of government engagement with society that is collaborative, consistent, open, effective and accountable.
Our Team
The Civil Society Alliance is a project managed by the Human Rights Consortium Northern Ireland, a registered charity and non-for-profit company limited by guarantee based in Northern Ireland.,
Our Project Manager, Rosalind Stevens, leads a small team tasked with setting up the new Civil Society Alliance and our structures.
A Project Advisory Group (PAG), initially comprising the Human Rights Consortium (Northern Ireland), Human Rights Consortium Scotland, and the Wales Civil Society Forum on Brexit, supports us in our strategic planning, reviews and ensuring adherence with ongoing funding commitments.
OUR FUNDERS
We are very grateful to the Legal Education Fund for their generous support to enable the Civil Society Alliance to start up this project.
Our Members
