September 15 is celebrated as the International Day of Democracy every year and the United Nations has declared ‘Space for Civil Society‘ as the theme for the 2015 International Democracy Day.
As civil society is under attack in many different countries around the world, the space for NGOs to operate freely is shrinking at a faster rate. This year’s International Democracy Day is to remind “Governments everywhere that the hallmark of successful and stable democracies is the presence of a strong and freely operating civil society — in which Government and civil society work together for common goals for a better future, and at the same time, civil society helps keep Government accountable.”
According to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, “Civil society is the oxygen of democracy. Civil society acts as a catalyst for social progress and economic growth. It plays a critical role in keeping Government accountable, and helps represent the diverse interests of the population, including its most vulnerable groups.”
We take this opportunity to celebrate the International Day of Democracy and also highlight the relevance of civil society, especially our NGO community which has been at the forefront in upholding the basic principles of democracy throughout every corner of this planet.
We have compiled a list of open grant opportunities currently available for NGOs working for the promotion of democracy and related issues.
