According to the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) mapping report 2019 which was launched yesterday, 68 per cent of CSOs cannot continue without accessing external resources. And Bhutan graduating from Least Developed Countries’ (LDC) category by 2023, external resources aiding the CSOs are withdrawing.
This brings in the concern regarding the sustainability of CSOs in the country. This was discussed during the government and CSOs Meet 2019 held towards exploring coordination between these two.
Currently, 48 CSOs have valid registration with the Civil Society Organisation Authority (CSOA). The number used to be 58 before. Six have de-registered and two are under legal investigation and therefore not operational. As per the chairman of CSOA, the deregistration happens for two reasons. When the services are fulfilled and when they can’t sustain.
“Initially I think there were lots of funding opportunities with lots of donor agencies being based in Thimphu. But now all those donor agencies are pulling out of the country. And even those who are here are downsizing their support. On top of that, the other fear that the CSOs have is that Bhutan graduating from LDC into the category of Middle-Income Countries whereby opportunity to obtain more funding sources from outside may be difficult,” said Sonam Dorji, the Chairman of CSOA.
Concerned, the meeting saw CSOs requesting the government for a clear policy on civil society, creation of CSO development fund and recognition as a partner with the government. The government during the meet, however, said that they can’t help much when it comes to financial assistance but help them collaborate otherwise with CSOs of similar objectives.
“They already have a CSO Act. I think this is already a sign of support from the government. They have difficulty in financial sustainability and we can’t do anything on it. CSOs came and volunteered themselves. We don’t have ways to help them financially. But like today, the government and the CSOs can come together to share their challenges and collaborate,” said Dasho Sherub Gyeltshen, the Home Minister.
According to the report, 60 per cent of CSOs target groups continue to need CSOs’ services. There is also a need for CSO services because the target group replaces the ones whose problems are solved.
Today CSOA has around 16 or 17 CSOs trying to be registered with the authority. But the authority is now looking into their specialisation and their diversity to admit into the CSO fraternity.
Samten Dolkar.
