Groundwork for Growing Giving
Our Groundwork for Growing Giving campaign looks at how governments can protect this vital space for civil society. This CAF campaign sets out the requirements for the development and growth of a locally led, resourced and accountable civil society sector in-country.
A free, fair and open civil space is vital in making sure CSOs can act as an independent and trustworthy voice for society. CAF believes that mass engagement in giving ensures CSOs are reflective of society and trusted locally. An open civil society space safeguards CSOs’ role of representing society to government, of being a critical friend.
Mass engagement in giving can be encouraged and facilitated by creating and supporting civil society infrastructure organisations. These organisations would provide validation services which increases trust in CSOs. They can also increase capacity and improve governance within charities.
The time for the Government to act is now. Our Groundwork for Growing Giving campaign shows the huge transformational growth of the emerging middle classes up to 2030.
We estimate that if the world’s middle classes were to give over just 0.5% of their spending – less than the average UK household and about the same as people in the Republic of Korea – that could amount to $319 billion in resources for civil society organisations annually by 2030.
Governments, both in the UK and internationally, must be committed to supporting locally led, resourced and accountable civil society. It is only by ensuring this local ownership of civil society that CSOs can truly speak for and represent local populations and hold national governments to account.