Governments must embrace civil society organizations to strengthen service
delivery as states worldwide struggle under overlapping crises, global leaders
have urged.
This call was made at the Clinton Global
Initiative (CGI) 2025 in New York during a session titled “Civil Society Filling the Gap.”
The panel, moderated by Dr. Kennedy Odede, founder and CEO of Kenya’s
Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), brought together leaders from
philanthropy, nonprofits, and local government to highlight the growing role of
civil society in addressing gaps once filled by governments.
Panelists included Linda Lindborg, President
and CEO of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Dierdre Williams, Director
of Grants at the Open Society Foundations, and Brandon Scott, Mayor of
Baltimore City.
They agreed that civil society has become essential in areas such as
healthcare, education, clean water, and governance.
Dr. Odede, whose organization supports more than 4.1 million people in
Kenya’s informal settlements and rural areas, said civil society is
increasingly a frontline actor rather than a backup system.
“In the slums where I come from, civil society has become the safety net. It
is in the forefront to fight for the rights of the people,” he said.
“We must realize that power belongs to the people. We have to keep
organizing, speaking up, and not give up.”
Mayor Scott stressed that real change must be rooted in communities.
“You cannot fix broken systems from the top down. The people closest to the
problem are closest to the solution,” he said.
“Growing up as a black kid in Baltimore, I was seen as a problem to be
solved, not someone to be invested in. Our job as leaders is to align with the
people, they have the power.”
From a funder’s perspective, Lindborg noted that philanthropy must move away
from short-term, top-down projects and instead invest in long-term
community-led systems.
“Too often, civil society is expected to do more with less, in the shadows
of shrinking state responsibility,” she said.
“Community-led organizations often outperform larger institutions in
adaptability, trust, and sustainability.”
Williams cautioned that civil society should not be reduced to mere
contractors.
“Yes, we deliver services. But we also speak truth to power. If we are forced
to choose between being efficient contractors and courageous critics, we all
lose,” she said.
Dr. Odede emphasized that grassroots organizations are reshaping governance
by building schools, water systems, health centers, and even community data
systems.
But he warned against underfunding.
“If we expect civil society to carry the load, we better fund them like we
fund agencies. You can’t run a city with volunteers and goodwill alone,” he
said.
The session concluded with a clear message: civil society is no longer a
stopgap but a vital partner in governance and service delivery.
For governments facing growing
crises, embracing and funding these organizations could be key to resilience
and equity.
