Burkina Faso’s Civil Society Seeks State Funding and Regular Dialogues

Ouagadougou – The National Council of Civil Society Organizations of Burkina Faso has called for state funding and regular consultation with the government, following a national forum held on January 11 and 12 in Ouagadougou.

According to Burkina Information Agency, During the forum, participants from various civil society organizations (CSOs) in Burkina Faso emphasized the need for ‘public financing of CSOs’ and ‘regular maintenance of the consultation and dialogue framework between the State and CSOs’. These recommendations were part of a broader set of proposals addressed to the authorities.

In addition to seeking state support, the forum also focused on internal self-sufficiency, adopting a resolution to create self-financing mechanisms within CSOs. Hermann Doanio, President of the National Council of Civil Society Organizations of Burkina Faso (CNOSC/BF), highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating that it aims to reduce financial vulnerability and dependency of civil society actors.

The forum’s participants also urged the state to involve civil society effectively in political reforms, enhance the capabilities of CSOs, and empower the coordination of women’s associations, in accordance with the law on freedom of association.

Civil society actors also directed recommendations toward technical and financial partners, seeking support in enhancing the technical, financial, and human capacities of member structures within the CNOSC, as well as bolstering support for organizations, especially during crises.

Key resolutions taken at the forum included promoting coordinated actions and synergies between CSOs working in governance, encouraging CSO participation in the implementation of the PA-SD (Sustainable Development Action Plan), revisiting the code of good conduct to address new challenges, and establishing a committee to monitor the recommendations of the Burkina Faso CSO Forum.

Concluding the forum, Doanio expressed hope for the implementation of these recommendations to build a robust civil society contributing to the country’s development.