A new report by the Brexit Civil Society Alliance looks at the role civil society organisations play in democracy and what changes need to be made by governments to embrace their potential.
Kathryn Sturgeon, Research and Events Officer
The Brexit Civil Society Alliance have spent the last few years drawing together civil society organisations (CSOs) to respond to the policy challenges posed by leaving the European Union. From this work, we have seen the importance of CSOs in bridging the gap between citizens and the state, the vital evidence and expertise that they bring to the table, and their importance in holding decision-makers to account. As we look to the future - at policies for a post-Brexit, post-pandemic UK - we see this as a key moment for governments to fully embrace this role of CSOs. Our new report Seizing the Opportunity: the case for embracing civil society’s role in democracy sets our vision and how this can be achieved.
The report is split into four parts, looking at:
the role of CSOs in democratic practices and how organisations currently interact with policy formation and decision making across the UK;
the systemic barriers faced by CSOs
how engagement with CSOs fits in the broader context of current democratic innovations and what reforms have been proposed previously
Recommendations for best practice and what tangible changes need to be implemented by governments.
One of the most valuable experiences whilst doing research for the report was speaking to CSOs and discussing the different barriers they face. What became apparent was that across all different forms of interaction with government - whether at a local level or in high level meetings at Westminster - a lack of collaborative culture was the biggest barrier to meaningful engagement. Tackling embedded views on the role of the third sector is certainly one of the biggest steps that needs to be taken, and will need sustained effort on all sides.
Our report also looks at the work of CSOs outside of direct engagement with decision-makers - the vital work done in the public sphere through advocacy, protest, and bringing attention to issues. The latest research by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation shows that 9 out of 10 campaigners feel that these rights are under threat - a shrinking of civic space also highlighted in our report. Democracy needs clear and enforceable rights in order to flourish, and our report joins many others in calling for an end to hostility by politicians.
Our vision is for a vibrant civil society in which civil society organisations can engage in democratic processes inside and outside of the formal policy sphere. Ours is not the only voice calling for civil society to be better embraced: come to our launch to learn more about our recommendations and to hear from our speakers, Sue Tibballs, CEO of Sheila McKechnie Foundation, and Ruth Ibegbuna, founder of RECLAIM project, The Roots Programme, and Rekindle School, and a Commissioner on the Commission on Civil Society.
Report Launch: 21 January 2021 11AM
Sign up: http://bit.ly/report_launch