Introduction
The World Bank Group (WBG) is renewing its approach for Civic and Citizen Engagement (CCE), an initiative that is crucial in the current context of multiple global crises. This new approach emphasizes a systems-oriented and partnership-based approach to address the climate emergency, persistent poverty, exclusion, conflict, and fragility, in line with our goal to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.
A strategic review conducted in FY24 has shown that while the Bank has met the minimal corporate requirements outlined in the 2014 Strategic Framework for Mainstreaming Citizen Engagement, a stronger and more strategic approach is necessary. The new approach and strategic framework will focus on:
- Improving the quality and outcomes of project-level CCE;
- Strengthening country systems for CCE;
- Supporting enabling conditions for CCE; and,
- Ensuring an institutional support system for CCE that is fit-for-purpose.
The WBG's Renewed CCE Agenda
The new CCE Strategic Framework is currently under development. Based on consultations with internal and external stakeholders, it will be completed by June 2025. The new Framework will provide guidance to WBG teams on integrating CCE corporate commitments into the country partnership model and enhancing the quality of operational-level CCE.
As referenced in the IDA21 Replenishment Report, the WBG is also introducing a new "Quality of Civic/Citizen Engagement" monitoring indicator, as part of its renewed Corporate Scorecard. The proposed indicator measures how meaningfully citizens and civil society actors are engaged and to what extent their voices are reflected in development decision-making and oversight. Unlike the previous indicator, which operated solely at the project level, this composite indicator, will measure the quality and results of the Bank's performance in CCE at both the project and country portfolio levels. Rather than a compliance-based approach with a minimal requirement at design of specific projects, the new approach will aim to incentivize more meaningful and impactful engagement with stakeholders, citizens, and civil society organizations (CSOs) by focusing on quality and results, highlighting good practices, and identifying areas where more attention and support is needed for overall country portfolios. The methodology for the new indicator (attached for reference) has been piloted with a random sample of 21 countries, three from each region, and the results used to refine the methodology to ensure its effectiveness and scalability. The indicator will be rolled out next fiscal year (starting during the 2025 Annual Meetings, planned for Sept/Oct 2025).
In parallel, the WBG is also launching CIVIC: The Civil Society and Social Innovation Alliance in 2025 as a dedicated fund and global program. CIVIC will support CSOs and social innovators addressing global development challenges, advancing our mission to end poverty on a livable planet. CIVIC will leverage solutions and approaches from CSOs that can help enable and deliver strengthened civic and citizen engagement in collaboration with governments and World Bank programs and will be made available to country teams to strengthen their operational engagements. This program will be rolled out together with the new CCE Strategic Framework and the new CCE monitoring indicator.
Consultation Plan
The WBG is committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to enhance our operational effectiveness and efficiency. We value the input of our stakeholders and look forward to working together to achieve our shared goals. We believe that the success of the WBG's renewed CCE agenda, and all the initiatives outlined above, relies on the valuable insights and feedback from both our internal and external stakeholders - i.e. WBG staff, including regional and country teams, civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), government representatives, and other development partners.
The objectives of our consultation plan are to:
Inform stakeholders about the Bank's new CCE Strategic Framework and Corporate Scorecard Indicator.
Gather feedback from stakeholders to guide the drafting of the CCE Strategy Framework and refine the CCE monitoring indicator.
Foster collaboration between internal teams and external partners to enhance the quality of CCE.
Consultation Timeline: During the months of February and March, the Bank's CCE Global team will conduct a series of internal and external consultations on the new CCE Strategic Framework and the new composite CCE Indicator. By end-April, we will prepare a summary report of key feedback received from all consultation activities. In May-June, we will incorporate stakeholder feedback into the final design and implementation plan of the CEE Strategic Framework and Indicator; share the revised documents with stakeholders and propose a mechanism to ensure ongoing stakeholder engagement and feedback.
How to Participate
1. Access the consultation documents for your background
2. Register to participate in a virtual consultation - If you are interested in participating in a virtual consultation, please register for one of the following online sessions.
Option 2: Monday, February 24, at 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. ET
(Tuesday, February 25, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Bangkok Time)
3. Share your feedback in writing - Alternatively, share your comments in writing via the online feedback form. Note that this online feedback mechanism will be live from January 16th, 2025, through March 16th, 2025.
Contact Information
For any inquiries or for more information, please contact us via email:
Aly Rahim, Global Lead for Citizen Engagement
Mariana T. Felicio, Senior Social Development Specialist
Yuri Park, Social Development Specialist
Thank you for your participation and support.