Introducing Civic Driven Change

This Policy Brief introduces civic-driven change (CDC) as conceived by the ISS initiative. It describes major concepts, terms and arguments. In addition it explains basic principles, preconditions and areas of disagreement. It addresses frequentlyasked questions (FAQs) that surround the concept.

Civic Driven Change and Aided Development

The Civic-Driven Change (CDC) Initiative provides a story and frame of reference which can add value to the work of (private) aid agencies. However, aid agencies vary, and the stage of development of this understanding - which competes with other methods - is such that a first engagement with CDC would be for agencies to critically reflect on their ‘being’ and ‘doing’ as civic agents of change. In focusing on what this might mean in practice, this briefing paper draws on essay 10 inthe CDC v...

Civic Driven Change: Organizing Civic Action

This policy brief explores the emergence of organizing as a method of citizen action for change, as it differs from mobilizing and other approaches to problem-solving. The focus of organizing is on developing civic agency as a central element of work on concrete issues. Civic agency is defined as capacities for self-directed collective action in open settings with nopredetermined outcomes but a general orientation to the common good.covery’ of civic agency in aided development.

Civic Driven Change: Facing Risk

This brief explores assessing risk in organizing civic-driven action. The exercise of citizens’ agency needs to be informed by a mapping of power/relations – class, caste, gender, space – amongst others. In addition, adequate support is called for to translate processes that increase people’s critical awareness into practical action without making those who takerisks to change society more vulnerable in the process.

Civic Driven Change: A new Impetus to the Debate

This policy brief describes the thinking behind and motives for a group of Dutch private aid agencies to support and helpdesign the Civic-Driven Change Initiative.1