Nongovernment Organizations and Civil Society

A Nascent Civil Society Within a Transforming Environment* [ PDF ] was prepared by the NGO Research Centre of the School of Public Policy and Management*, Tsinghua University. The findings revealed that the structure and the environment within which Chinese civil society organizations operate are rather weak while the values and impact dimensions scored slightly stronger. The project also identified certain weaknesses of civil society in PRC, such as limited citizen participation in civil society activities, a number of legal constraints in the establishment of grassroots NGOs and umbrella bodies, and the limited prominence CSOs give to sensitive issues such as democracy and government transparency. The study is an initiative of CIVICUS*: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, an international network that helps strengthen citizen action and civil society. CIVICUS provides a focal point for knowledge-sharing, common interest representation, global institution-building and engagement among civil society.

China Development Brief* offers a database of over 200 International NGOs operating in the People's Republic of China.

The China Association for NGO Cooperation* (CANGO) aims to create a strong, empowered network of Chinese NGOs to address poverty alleviation, environmental protection and social development, particularly in China's poor, remote, and minority-inhabited areas. CANGO acts as an intermediary agency and partners with foreign NGOs, bilateral and multilateral organizations and Chinese NGOs to enhance fundraising, provision of technical support, and capacity building of grassroots NGOs in China.

The United States International Grantmaking* (USIG) facilitates effective and responsible international grant-making by U.S. foundations. The USIG features country information* that describes the legal framework of nonprofit organizations in several countries.