The international civil society sector is constantly evolving, with organisations grappling with change and challenging internal and external drivers requiring adaptation and the adoption of anticipation mechanisms. The pressure on organisations to transform themselves along with the transformations around themselves ebbs and flows with the external developments. Yet, organisations constantly evolve and need to be ready for the next changes and consequences of larger trends ahead. 

We strengthen the capacity of international civil society organisations (ICSO) in strategic foresight and support proactive approaches for the sector to adapt to crucial issues such as powershift, governance, and digital transformation, with an emphasis on both probable and preferable futures for (I)CSOs. 

The Challenge

The international civil society sector is constantly evolving, with organisations grappling with change and challenging internal and external drivers requiring adaptation and the adoption of anticipation mechanisms. The pressure on organisations to transform themselves along with the transformations around themselves ebbs and flows with the external developments. Yet, organisations constantly evolve and need to be ready for the next changes and consequences of larger trends ahead.

Our Approach

To address the critical need for international civil society organisations (ICSOs) to anticipate future challenges and adapt their strategies and governance models, the Centre developed the Futures of (I)CSOs initiative, which aims to strengthen the capacity of (I)CSOs and the wider sector in anticipating challenges, particularly in the areas of localisation and civic space. Our approach moves beyond crisis response to develop more proactive futures planning for organisational transformation.  Building on our Accelerating Inclusive Power Shift initiative, which supported ICSOs in transforming towards more equitable organisations, we support and help ICSOs and local CSOs become organisations fit for the future. 

Capacity Building

By building capacity in futures thinking and strategic foresight, we equip organisations with practical tools, high level analysis and discussion space to integrate forward-looking strategies into their operations and long-term planning, ensuring they are better prepared for challenges ahead, and have the tools to be able to identify and seize new opportunities. 

Our Unique Value

Our ambition is to support the development of a civil society sector that has the capacity, competence and creativity to define and drive the agenda towards futures that are more equitable and guided by power shift, continual learning, collective intelligence, and practical application.

We combine futures thinking, strategic foresight, and organisational transformation expertise to help ICSOs and local CSOs move from reactive responses to proactive agenda-setting. Our work ensures civil society is equipped to shape equitable futures rather than merely adapt to them.

Futures Resource

Other strategic ambitions

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    Empowering communities

    We are committed to ensuring that local actors and communities have the tools and resources to make their voices heard and count.

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    Civic Space

    We support and strengthen civic space. We work in solidarity with CSOs in increased times of pressure. We work towards strengthening space for civil society engagement, facilitating dialogues with decision-making, particularly through citizen data.

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