FCDO Engagement report on shaping the future of centrally managed civil society and civic space programming
In August 2023, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) engaged the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and Bond to oversee a collaborative initiative aimed at shaping the future of the FCDO’s centrally managed civil society and civic space programming.
The engagement process took place between September and October 2023 and covered international regions identified by the FCDO. WACSI’s expertise was instrumental in orchestrating engagements across West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, Central Asia, and the Indo-Pacific. Bond led on the engagements in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Eastern Europe. The engagement process combined a mix of virtual and in-person engagement sessions and a survey. This approach ensured a good coverage of regions and allowed for a broad spectrum of perspectives to be captured.
This report highlights the prioritized recommendations resulting from the engagement process. The recommendations provide a transformative vision for the FCDO’s future. They are characterized by transparency, inclusivity and a renewed commitment to fostering positive, equitable change. Embracing these recommendations would propel the FCDO toward a brighter and more impactful future on the global stage and will reinforce the agency’s dedication to being a global leader in advancing sustainable development and equitable partnerships.
Published by: Bond, FCDO and WACSI
Published: February 2025