USAID is pleased to present the seventh edition of the CSO Sustainability Index (CSOSI) for Sub-Saharan Africa. The index describes advances and setbacks in seven key dimensions of sustainability in the civil society sector in 2015—the legal environment, organizational capacity, financial viability, advocacy, service provision, infrastructure, and public image. The reports are produced by an expert panel of CSO practitioners and researchers in each country included in this year’s index. The panels assess each dimension of CSO sustainability according to key indicators and
agree on a score, which can range from 1 (most developed) to 7 (most challenged). The scores for each dimension are averaged to produce an overall sustainability score for a given country’s CSO sector. An editorial committee composed of technical and regional experts then reviews the scores and corresponding narratives with an eye to ensuring consistent approaches and standards to allow for cross-country comparisons. The scores are grouped into three overarching categories—Sustainability Enhanced (scores from 1 to 3), Sustainability Evolving (3.1-5), and Sustainability Impeded (5.1-7)—which provide additional comparative benchmarks. Further details about the methodology used to calculate scores and produce corresponding narrative reports are provided in Annex A. The index is a useful source of information for CSOs, governments, donors, academics, and others who want to better understand and monitor key aspects of CSO sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa. It complements similar indices covering countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa, Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. A publication of this type would not be possible without the contributions of many individuals and organizations. We are particularly grateful to the Aga Khan Foundation, which supported the assessments of Kenya and Mali (as well as the indices for Afghanistan and Pakistan) and our implementing partners in each country, who facilitate the expert panel meetings and write the country reports. We also thank the many CSO representatives and experts, USAID partners, and international donors who participated in the expert panels in each country. Their knowledge, perceptions, ideas, and dedication are the foundation upon which this index is based.
DW Angola
Development Workshop Angola