The National Forum of Civil Society Organisations (NCSO) was officially launched on Thursday, a move intended to empower and increase the participation of civil society groups across the country.
The two-day event, a fulfilment of a presidential manifesto pledge, brought together 69 civil society groups, 30 women's development committees, and six Atoll Councils.
The opening ceremony was graced by Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, Ibrahim Waheed, who addressed the current challenges facing civil society organisations (CSOs). The forum, organised by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, is part of a series designed to facilitate collaboration and identify and address administrative difficulties within CSOs.
During his opening remarks, Minister Ibrahim Waheed detailed the volunteer-based nature of many CSOs, noting that participants often do not receive adequate allowances or financial support. He stated this does not align with the true meaning of empowered civil societies and called for a shift towards a more sustainable model.
"They should be empowered. They should be provided with financial resources. They should be supported to run programmes,” he stressed
The Minister emphasised that national-level forums like the NCSO will enhance the capacity of associations and expand their work. As CSOs become financially stronger and more sustainable, their role at the national level will grow, leading to increased participation in the country's decision-making processes.
"Such developments will make civil society empowered and strong institutions that play an important role in the development of society," he added.
The Ministry stated that the forum’s primary purpose is to bring together diverse associations to share experiences and discuss common challenges. The initiative aims to foster collaborative problem-solving and empower CSOs to collectively find solutions to the challenges and obstacles they face.
The launch of the NCSO is seen as a significant step towards strengthening civil society in line with the incumbent administration's campaign pledges. By focusing on financial sustainability and capacity building, the government hopes to create a more robust and influential civil society sector.