Governments & CSOs collaborating in Response to COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Responses to the pandemic have resulted in significant global social and economic disruption. It has led to the postponement or cancellation of events, widespread supply shortages exacerbated by supply chain interruption, agricultural disruption and food shortages. The pandemic has raised issues of racial and geographic discrimination, health inequity, the balance between public health imperatives and individual rights, growth of products in the black market and ongoing corruption in government procurement efforts and spending. Transparency and accountability are essential for good governance and in times of crisis it is more important that government interventions are swift, efficient and effective. For this to happen in times of uncertainty and with limited evidence of what works, ongoing collaboration between government and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in planning, implementation monitoring and evaluation (M&E) can be a panacea.

CSOs play varying but critical roles, including implementing government activities, monitoring governments’ performance, advocating for increased accountability to citizens and contributing to information needs with up to date data. Such roles demand greater participation in government actions, investigative journalism, research, public commissions and citizen advisory boards. In other words, collaboration between CSOs and government can aid in the response to the COVID19 pandemic. Evidence will be key to help revitalize economies affected by the pandemic and ensure that policies are implemented effectively and bring the best possible results, especially to the poorest and most vulnerable.

This webinar will discuss the collaborative roles of governments and CSOs in response to the pandemic and the way that their relationships have changed to meet changing needs, the evolving evidence ecosystem and in implementing effective intervention projects. Of particular focus will be how governments and CSOs were able to (or not) gain access to and use evidence to fulfil their duties in this fast-changing environment.