Useful links
This section provides links to organisations who, in a variety of ways, seek to strengthen and support the work of civil society organisations around the world. These organisations are under the headings:
If you have a suggestion of an organisation we may have overlooked, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: info@guidestarinternational.org
Civil Society Networks
CIVICUS
An international alliance of members and partners which constitute an influential network of organisations at the local, national, regional and international levels, and span the spectrum of civil society.
Community Information, Empowerment and Transparency
This is an international group of epidemiologists and social scientists who bring scientific research methods to local government and community levels.
PANOS
Panos’ job is to make the immensely complex issues facing developing countries accessible and understandable, to provide information that people can trust, and to open up opportunities for different perspectives to be heard.
Third World Network
An independent non-profit international network of organizations and individuals involved in issues relating to development, the Third World and North-South issues.
Online Networks
Association for Progressive Communications
APC is an international network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and supporting groups and individuals working for peace, human rights, development and protection of the environment, through the strategic use of ICTs, including the internet.
CHIOKE
A portal dedicated to improving the visibility of the work done by NGOs and social movements from the South.
Civil Society Building Network
This online network brings together practitioners and researchers on the theme of civil society and civil society building.
Development Gateway Foundation
This is an online venue where professionals working to reduce poverty and promote sustainable develoment worldwide share knowledge, resources and tools centered on specific themes in different communities.
Idealist.org
Aims to connect people, organizations, and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives.
One World.net
Civil society online network, supporting people’s media to help build a more just global society.
Legal Resources for Civil Society
International Centre for Non Profit Law
Strives to create a world where civil society can freely develop in all its forms and participate in public decisions.
International Center For Civil Society Law
Seeks to protect human freedoms by improving the laws that affect the freedoms of belief, expression, association, assembly, information, and participation.
Research Organisations
Hauser Centre for Non Profit Organisations
Promotes critical thinking about the importance, roles and performance of civic organizations.
Institute for Public Policy Research
A progressive think tank, producing cutting edge research and innovative policy ideas for a just, democratic and sustainable world.
International Association for Media and Communication and Research
Worldwide professional organisation in the field of media and communication research. Its members promote global inclusiveness and excellence within the best traditions of critical research in the field.
John Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies
Seeks to improve understanding and the effective functioning of not-for-profit, philanthropic, or “civil society” organizations in the United States and throughout the world.
London School of Economics (LSE) – Centre for Civil Society Studies
A leading, international organisation for research, analysis, debate and learning about civil society.
Overseas Development Institute
British independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues.
Social Science Research Council
Builds interdisciplinary and international networks, and focuses research on important public issues.
The European Association for Planned Giving (EAPG) Cross Border Directory
The EAPG seeks to ensure the best possible practice in planned giving and cross-border philanthropy. They have developed a country by country contact list of professional advisers specialising in areas of relevance to charitable fundraising, international philanthropy, and planned giving.
Media Organisations
Alliance Magazine
Allavida is an international development organisation, that works to enable local action. Their mission is to help people acquire the skills, knowledge, confidence and resources to lead local action and achieve constructive change in their communities.
Institute for Global Communications
Brings advanced communications technologies to grassroots organizations worldwide working for peace, human rights, environmental sustainability, women’s rights, conflict resolution and worker rights.
Inter Press Service
Civil society news agency, an independent voice from the South and for development.
Transparency & Accountability
AccountAbility
A non-profit, membership organization which promotes accountability innovations that advance responsible business practices, and the broader accountability of civil society and public organizations.
Active Learning for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action
An international, interagency network that aims to improve humanitarian performance through learning and accountability.
Citizens Circle for Accountability
A resource for those seeking a better understanding of accountability and of how to hold fairly to account in the public and private sectors and internationally.
Civil Society Watch
Aims to mobilise quick, principled and effective responses to those events that threaten civil society’s fundamental rights to collectively express, associate and organise throughout the world.
Keystone Accountability Reporting
Seeks to influence development practice through a model of civil society accountability that requires civil society organizations to be inclusive in their engagement with stakeholders and open in their public reporting.
Transparency International
Brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world.