Partnership on paper, pragmatism on the ground: the European Union's engagement with civil society organisations. Issue 6 (17th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keijzer, Niels; Bossuyt, Fabienne
• Is Part Of: Development in practice. Volume 30:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 784
• Page End: 794
• Publication Date: 2020-08-17
• Subjects: Aid – Development policies -- Civil society – NGOs -- Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS -- Western and Southern Europe; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 338.91091724
• DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2020.1801589
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-4524

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article analyses the evolution of the European Union's development policy in relation to civil society. Based on a review of overall policy trends, strategies and practices in Central Asia, it demonstrates how the EU's development policy has gradually moved from a focus on European NGOs towards civil society organisations, broadly defined and increasingly associated with the private sector and local authorities. While the EU's policy recognises the intrinsic value of civil society in all its diversity and promotes partnership, its operational practices show a pragmatic preference for working with professionalised organisations in service delivery roles.