Externally Funded Civil Society in Nationally Owned Development. Rwandan and Cambodian CSO-Experiences Illustrating yet a Clash of Ideals

Malin Hasselskog, Vedaste Ndizera and Joakim Öjendal

Journal of Development Studies, 2025, vol. 61, issue 12, 1927-1943

Abstract: National ownership and civil society are firmly established ideals, nurtured by the international aid community. While there are concerns about undue donor influence on externally funded CSOs, the wariness of such influence increases the room for national CSO-regulation. The article explores implications of this for the work and role of externally funded CSOs. Examining such organisations in Rwanda and Cambodia, it builds on a unique combination of cases, original empirical material, and literature review. The two countries’ policy independence is based on different grounds and, while politically oriented CSOs are firmly constrained in both, the government approaches to development-oriented ones range from Rwandan active utilisation to Cambodian disinterested tolerance. Findings show that, while CSOs in both countries experience decreased donor influence, they need to continuously adjust to national regulation. Rwandan CSOs follow detailed government plans and directions, which provide for efficient work, though not of their independent choice. Cambodian CSOs spend time and effort to gain the authorities’ acceptance that may, however, suddenly cease, which does not provide for efficient or long-term work. In both countries, CSOs are thus confined to centrally assigned or allowed roles, which is found to illustrate prevalent contradictions between and within aid nurtured ideals.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2025.2498930

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