Participation of National Civil Society Organizations in the Policy Process: A Case Study of CONPES as a Venue in Nicaragua

Abstract

The concept of participation has become a significant component within development theory. It is also through participation that new roles for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are being created, shifting from traditional service-delivery functions to influencing policy formulation and decision making process on behalf of a variety of constituencies. It is under this shift to influence policy formulation and decision making that the objective of the present study is to assess the role of the National Council for Economic and Social Planning (CONPES) as a venue for Nicaraguan CSOs to participate in the policy process. Created in 1999 by presidential degree, CONPES is comprised of members from a wide variety of CSOs, business organizations, national labor unions, national trade and professional organizations, and networks of national NGOs. It was envisaged as a consultative body to advise the President of the Republic (PR) on the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of social and economic policies, programs and plans. In order to achieve its objective, the study begins with an analysis of the concept of participation, civil society and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the policy process. Based on the stages of the policy process, an analysis is made of the advantages and challenges for CSOs to influence the policy process within the context of CONPES.