Civil Society

Civil Society Index Mapping (CSI) Study 

The Civil Society Index Mapping study is a part of a global participatory action research undertaken by CIVICUS, the world alliance for citizens’ participation, to assess the status of civil society around the world. In India, CYSD has undertaken the mapping of civil society organizations in Orissa. The study aims to assess the state of civil society in Orissa along four dimensions - its structure, the external environment in which it operates, the values it professes, and its impact on the society at large. It is a unique study in which civil society organizations get an opportunity to assess them.

The findings may be used by the civil society at State and National level to work out strategies for broader as well as deeper engagement of CSOs, and to better coordinate their efforts.

It is important to broad base civil society involvement in development and to strengthen civil society in the state in order to address social development and poverty related issues. Thus, it is necessary to understand the dynamics, issues and health of the civil society in Orissa.

For this, CYSD, with the support of CIVICUS, conducted a study with the objective of creating a knowledge base, and disseminating the study findings to a variety of stakeholders including the government. The study is also intended to build up momentum to strengthen civil society initiatives. Following the completion of this research study, CYSD conducted a sharing workshop involving different civil society stakeholders, which led to debates and discussions on how to strengthen the civil society in Orissa.