International Civil Society Centre

We work to ensure the international civil society sector remains resilient, relevant, responsive and forward-looking so it can better support the most vulnerable and marginalised communities worldwide.

The Centre was founded in 2007 and is owned and supported by 16 of the world’s largest international civil society organisations (ICSOs). These organisations work together across areas such as human rights, social justice, humanitarian aid, and environmental protection. The Centre is a not-for-profit limited liability company. Each shareholder organisation owns an equal share, acts as one of our “Owners”, and contributes annually to fund our work.

Our shareholders form the Centre’s highest decision-making body. They meet twice a year, usually in April and October, to elect members to the Board of Trustees, review the Centre’s activities, and approve the budget and audited accounts.

The Board of Trustees oversees the organisation’s management. It has 12 seats, one of which is reserved (without voting rights) for the Centre’s Executive Director. Board members are the CEOs of our Owners and serve on a rotating basis. The Board is supported by the Finance Committee, its only committee at present.

OUR IMPACT
Action
Providing an unmatched platform for exchange and joint action for civil society leadership, i.e. Vision Works, Leading Together, Global Perspectives

Partnerships
Coordinating global multi-stakeholder partnerships, i.e. Leave No One Behind, International Civic Forum

Incubation
Incubating sector-wide initiatives such as Accountable Now, the Civic Charter and Solidarity Action Network

Innovation
Providing trend scanning and sector innovation via formats such as Scanning the Horizon, the Futures of Localisation

OUR UNIQUE OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE
The Centre is currently owned and supported by 16 international civil society organisations (ICSO) who have committed to peer exchange and collaboration beyond individual mandates. They acknowledge that a thriving civil society sector requires investment in cross-cutting ambitions and support each other and their partners in transformational journeys.

The Centre is supported by international civil society organisations, who serve as our core supporters. These organisations make annual financial contributions and actively participate in the Centre’s work, but they do not hold any ownership or shares. In contrast, affiliates are engaged with the Centre but do not provide financial contributions.