Here are my answers to question 1, based solely on my experience in the Nile Basin. What are the most significant ways in which the context for strengthening civil society is changing and what impact are these changes likely to have in the coming three to five years? POSITIVE • There is an increasing push towards ‘transparency’ in international organizations. We see more examples of ‘Right to access to information’ adopted by many countries as well as international organizations. This should empower civil society generally. • There is a trend of ‘involving’ civil society in major international issues, e.g. Internet governance issues by the ITU. Other UN organizations are as well – to differing degrees, are also making an effort to work with NGOs. This would empower civil society. • The EU is setting up funds for NGOs in troubled areas for such issues as ‘democracy’, ‘election monitoring’, etc. Also funding for specific problems, e.g. Water Supply & Sanitation has increased from the EU. This would help civil society play a significant role in achieving the MDGs. NEGATIVE: • There is more focus on ‘local’ than regional or international ‘strengthening’, this may have the danger of actually weakening the bigger civil society movement. Most aid organizations are now just focused on ‘local’ than ‘regional’ or ‘international’. • Increasing number of NGOs registered every year in developing countries. They are more competing with each other mainly for funding and 'turf'. Funding usually goes to salaries rather than services. They are mostly weak and have no developmental 'vision'. A crying example is that there are 400 street children in Kampala, Uganda, and 200 organizations registered to help them!!!