Fostering vibrant civil societies

Limited space and capacity for civil society  

Across Bangladesh, Laos and Myanmar, CSOs/CBOs are important actors in supporting communities and promoting development. However, many of them face structural limitations like gaps in organisational capacity, limited access to funding, and weak networking or coordination mechanisms, which prevent them from reaching their full potential. In addition, civic space is often constrained, making it difficult for CSOs/CBOs to engage meaningfully with authorities or influence policies and public services.

At the same time, Bangladesh, Laos and Myanmar are also facing complex and interconnected challenges such as climate change, social inequality and political fragility. These pressures increase the vulnerability of communities, particularly women and young people, and require inclusive and locally driven solutions. Strengthening civil society and improving cooperation with public institutions is therefore essential to ensure that development processes counteract these vulnerabilities and are more participatory, effective and sustainable.

Strengthening civil society and fostering collaboration

ENABLE addresses these challenges by strengthening local organisations from within while fostering constructive engagement with other stakeholders. The project supports around 300 CSOs/CBOs across the three countries, with a particular focus on empowering women and youth groups. Through tailored training, mentoring and organisational development support, CSOs/CBOs enhance their technical skills, improve their internal systems and become more accountable to their communities. A dedicated small-grant mechanism further enables them to design and implement their own climate change related initiatives, contributing to their communities with practical action.

A central element of ENABLE is promoting collaboration and trust between CSOs/CBOs and local authorities. The project creates spaces for dialogue, joint planning and shared learning, allowing different actors to work together on locally relevant solutions. This includes the implementation of community-led initiatives on environmental protection, climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. These activities not only address urgent local needs but also demonstrate the value of cooperation and strengthen relationships between stakeholders.

Amplifying voices and influencing change

Building on the strengthened CSOs/CBOs, ENABLE supports them to engage more effectively in advocacy and policy dialogue. By developing evidence-based advocacy strategies and participating in structured exchanges, CSOs/CBOs strengthen their ability to articulate community needs, formulate clear messages and engage with decision-makers in a constructive way. The project helps them gather and use local evidence, build alliances, and identify appropriate entry points for dialogue, especially in challenging or restricted environments. Over time, this leads to more regular and meaningful interactions between civil society and authorities at local and national levels. CSOs/CBOs gain recognition as legitimate development actors, while public institutions benefit from more inclusive and informed decision-making processes. Ultimately, ENABLE contributes to expanding the space for civic engagement and to shaping policies and services that are more responsive, equitable and grounded in the realities of the communities they serve.