International civil society organisations (ICSOs) are under growing pressure to rethink their roles amid declining public trust, funding constraints, and criticism over unequal partnerships. Calls for more locally led approaches emphasise the need to redistribute power and strengthen the autonomy of actors in the Global South. Rather than operating primarily as implementers or intermediaries, ICSOs are increasingly expected to support independent local action by facilitating collaboration, sharing resources, and building long-term capacity. At the same time, structural barriers — including donor requirements, institutional inertia, and competition for visibility — continue to limit meaningful transformation. As humanitarian and development agendas become more influenced by geopolitical priorities, the sector faces a critical moment. Its future relevance will depend on the ability of organisations to adapt, build equitable partnerships, and demonstrate legitimacy through genuine power-sharing. Read more here.
Source: International Civil Society Centre