In an era defined by stark inequalities, environmental upheaval, and institutional fragility, civil society has become a powerful force in reimagining governance and development.
No longer a passive observer, the organized social fabric—both formal and informal—plays a vital role in building more inclusive, just, and resilient societies.
Across the globe, civil society organisations have strengthened public policy, not merely through protest, but by identifying inefficiencies, proposing tailored solutions, and monitoring public governance.
As Bo Rothstein noted in 2011, “the quality of public institutions depends, to a large extent, on civil society’s ability to demand accountability and integrity in the use of public resources.”
These actions make civil society a crucial ally in the fight against corruption and in promoting transparency and oversight.
Michael Edwards (2009) defined civil society as “the sphere of voluntarily organized social life that is distinct from the state, the family, and the market, although it interacts with all three.” This wide-ranging sphere encompasses NGOs, faith-based groups, youth movements, unions, and digital activism platforms—all wielding influence not just through funding, but by mobilizing people, ideas, and action for transformation.
Internationally, civil society’s impact is evident. In Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus’s Grameen Bank pioneered microcredit, empowering rural women.
In Brazil, the Landless Workers’ Movement promotes agroecology and grassroots education. In Colombia, local peace networks rebuild war-torn communities. Meanwhile, in Europe, organisations like Amnesty International and Greenpeace enjoy institutional support to influence policy and champion rights.
Civil society’s economic value is also significant. According to Salamon et al. (2003), by the early 2000s, the sector employed nearly 40 million people globally, generating $1.1 trillion in social activities. These efforts go far beyond charity—they are strategic, political, and transformative.
And in Angola?
Angola’s civil society remains resilient despite facing deep challenges, including years of civil conflict, institutional centralisation, and widespread poverty. Though constrained by limited financial resources, restricted civic space, and lack of legal recognition, grassroots organisations—such as churches, women’s groups, youth platforms, and neighbourhood committees—continue to lead initiatives in health, education, civic engagement, and human rights.
Yet, as Angolan scholar Justino Pinto de Andrade warned in 2016, “Angolan civil society, although combative, remains unstructured to compete for public decision-making positions. It lacks internal organization, grassroots mobilization strategies, and, above all, independent funding.” The absence of institutionalised oversight has allowed corruption and clientelism to flourish. Strengthening civil society could reverse that trend, acting as a counterweight to unchecked power.
Proposals for reform
International experience offers pathways for empowering civil society in Angola:
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Establishing a National Civil Society Fund with transparent mechanisms for financing social initiatives.
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Creating legal frameworks to encourage philanthropic donations.
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Offering training and formal recognition to grassroots groups for participation in local governance.
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Supporting social entrepreneurship with access to credit.
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Valuing local knowledge and innovation in development planning.
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Setting up civic observatories in partnership with universities and the media.
A call to action
As Nobel laureate Amartya Sen asserted, “development is the expansion of people’s real freedoms.” A robust, autonomous, and well-supported civil society is essential to realising those freedoms. For Angola, investing in civil society is not simply a matter of social policy—it is a matter of national integrity, sustainable governance, and democratic survival.
In the end, true social investment is measured not in budgets, but in awakened consciences, transformed lives, and empowered communities.
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