Luben Panov, Senior Program Advisor at the European Center for Nonprofit Law (ECNL), highlights how governments are using transparency measures to restrict the work of CSOs. This includes placing limitations on the fundraising of foreign funds. This approach falsely equates foreign funding with foreign influence, undermining the legitimacy of CSOs. Such restrictions have been seen in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, and Russia. Panov stresses the importance of transparency and accountability for CSOs to counter these negative narratives. Self-regulation and building connections with communities are key to gaining public trust. The OECD DAC Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society emphasizes the need for donors to support CSOs’ self-regulation efforts. To resist attempts to delegitimize CSOs benefiting from foreign funding, a locally- led development agenda is proposed. Engaging with local communities and fostering cooperation among CSOs can strengthen their impact in challenging times. Find more here.
Source: Global Standard for CSO Accountability