Civil Society

Civil society consists of a range of organizations and individuals, such as:

  • Community-based organizations;
  • National non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
  • International NGOs and their local affiliates; and
  • Media, trades unions, academic and research institutions, and faith-based organizations.

EITI is supported by international civil society organizations such as Transparency International, the Publish What You Pay coalition and the Revenue Watch Institute, as well as a range of other civil society organizations that have a role to play in stakeholder engagement in the EITI process. One of the requirements of an implementing country government is the commitment to work with civil society. Civil society can be involved by joining a country Multi-stakeholder group mandated to oversee EITI implementation. Multi-stakeholder group activities include helping to establish an implementing country's EITI work plan, analyzing the country EITI report on payments and revenues, or being involved in a review of the EITI implementation process. It is the implementing country government that is responsible for establishing the appropriate mechanisms to engage civil society in the EITI process, and for developing capacity building programs, if necessary, to ensure effective civil society engagement takes place. Once the EITI country revenue disclosure reports are in the public domain through the EITI report, it is important that the government be proactive in arranging a public discussion around the reported results. For EITI to be effective, key stakeholders, including civil society, need to be able to discuss, evaluate and interpret the results. This discussion signals the willingness of the government to be responsible and accountable for extractive industry revenues.

How Does Civil Society Benefit from EITI

  • Increased availability of information in the public domain about revenues that governments manage on behalf of citizens;
  • Increased ability to hold governments accountable;
  • Improved governance, hopefully contributing to sustainable development and poverty reduction;
  • Strengthened relations with companies and governments; and
  • Reputational benefits - increased profile and influence on a wider audience.