The participation of civil society is a crucial element of democracy. The concept of civic participation in governance is arguably the fundamental pillar in the promotion and protection of democratic governance.  However, especially in the rural areas in Namibia, civil society organisations often lack the institutional capacities to play a meaningful role in the development of Namibia’s democracy.  This hampers the rural CSOs’ capacities to meaningfully interact with Government at all levels.

The Civil Society Support Programme (CSSP) therefore aims to strengthen civil society in Namibia by providing institutional and programmatic technical support and training to mainly rurally based civil society organisations (CSOs). A further goal of the program is to strengthen CSOs’ interaction with Government on all levels. 

In this endeavour, a collaborative network of about 46 well-trained and institutionally strong CSOs in all 13 regions of the country was established. These organisations are assisted in strengthening their advocacy skills through training and technical assistance.  Furthermore, CSOs also receive organisational management skills training.  In turn, this network of CSOs assists the NID in conducting civic education programs in the regions, such as, for example, awareness on anti-corruption.  

Parliament of Namibia, through the Namibia Democracy Support Centre (NDSC) is an important partner of the NID in providing technical assistance to Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff.  Training programs on the national budget, gender issues, committee work and legislative outreach are conducted in Parliament, while the institution is also being assisted by the NID throught the development of a new interactive website and intranet. 

CSOs active in the NID’s CSSP network are the following:

• Citizens for an Accountable and Transparent Society (CATS)
• Namibia Democracy Support Centre (NDSC)
• Urban Trust of Namibia (UTN)
• Voluntary Association of Namibia (Ivan)
• Fighting Further For the Future Youth Club
• Ocean Wave Community Radio
• Youth With A Vision
• Okashana Community Development Forum
• Oshakati Community Platform
• Total Child Youth Forum
• Tulimumwe Support Group
• Youth for Development
• Regional Youth Forum
• Namibia Womens Council (NWC)
• Namibia Rural Development Program (NRDP)
• Namibia Radio Community Network
• Ounongo Technology Centre
• Breaking the Wall of Silence (BWS)
• Youth against crime
• Forum for the Future (FFF)
• Namibia Development Trust (NDT)
• Kuisebmund Community Centre
• Insight Karas
• Walvis Bay Youth Forum
• Lironga Eparu
• Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN)
• Eehnana Multi Purpose Youth Centre
• Change of life styles
• National Society for Human Rights (NSHR)
• Oruuano Artist's Union of Namibia
• True Love Waits
• Namibian National Farmers Union
• National Youth Council of Namibia
• Rössing Foundation
• Criminals Return to Society (CRIS)
• MISA Namibia
• National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW)
• Ombetya Yehinga
• Katutura Community Radio  (KCR)
• Womens Action for Development (WAD)
• Legal Assistance Center (LAC)
• Walvis Bay Multi Purpose Trust (WBMPT)
• Big Issue
• Sister Namibia
• Catholic Aids Action
• Walvis Bay District Aids Committee