Scotland

From 2003 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Scotland by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), with the international coordination of CIVICUS. This implementation led to the publication of an analytical country report, presenting the results of the CSI initiative in the country.

An Assessment of Scottish Civil Society: A Strong Value-driven but Fragmented Civil Society Gaining Confidence in a Post-Devolution Scotland

Over that period, the CSI project was led by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) with a National Advisory Group (NAG) drawn from people across a wide range of civil society sectors, such as the voluntary sector, charitable trusts and foundations, trade unions, professional associations, faith institutions, international NGOs, cooperatives and academia.

The NAG defined civil society as “the act of associating to advance common interests and concerns, but not motivated by personal profit or statutory obligations.” What are the particular benefits of the CSI in Scotland? The CSI findings could be used to set common goals for civil society. They should be taken as a way of raising informed debate, and in particular as a way of shining a new light on existing issues, rather than a rigorous assessment. This assessment is meant to be an iterative process.

It is valuable for Scottish civil society to be self-reflective, not just doing, but also looking at what has been done, and sharing this good practice internationally.

CSI Country Reports in Scotland