Centre for Civil Society
CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS

The Centre for Civil Society, established at the University of Natal in July 2001, aims to promote civil society as a legitimate and flourishing area of scholarly activity in South Africa. It also intends to develop and promote partnerships aimed at knowledge-sharing and capacity building in the sector. As part of its mandate, the Centre is committing a series of small research grants to encourage new and innovative research on civil society. We would thus like to invite researchers to submit proposals in the following thematic areas:

1. The State, Shape & Size of Civil Society in South Africa

The dramatic changes in the civil society sector, following the transition to democracy have, to some extent, already been documented and the Centre would like to support further research in this area. We are particularly interested in proposals that intend to engage with, elaborate, interrogate, interpret and [even] carry forward the findings of the Johns Hopkins Study on the South African Non-Profit Sector. In addition, we would like to encourage studies on the changing nature of the workplace in the non-profit sector.

2. Civil Society in the Contemporary Democratic Era
Civil society played a key role in bringing about the new democratic order in South Africa. Eight years into our transition, CSOs are confronting both old problems like poverty and inequality and new scourges like HIV/AIDS. The Centre is interested in supporting studies that look at civil society’s responses to these contemporary challenges, particularly regarding new approaches, alliances, formations and social movements. Further areas of interest include, working and lobbying for change in the legal, political and fiscal environment within which CSOs operate, and the need to build and strengthen a culture of philanthropy in the country.

3. Civil Society and Development

CSOs are struggling to define an appropriate relationship with the state. The Centre would like to support research on the fluid and essentially complex relationship between these agencies and their responsibilities vis-à-vis the grand development project. We would be particularly interested in how these roles/ responsibilities have changed subsequent to the government’s adoption of the Growth Employment and Redistribution Strategy (GEAR) in 1996. We will also support research on the influence of international donors and financial institutions on the development agenda in SA. In the light of all the above, studies on the extent to which sections of civil society are becoming corporatized [out of necessity or choice] and the impact of this development on communities, will be supported.

4. Africa

Civil society on the African continent, and its struggles against authoritarian regimes and for democracy, human rights, economic justice and development, is not very well-documented. We would like to encourage researchers to develop proposals with regard to these under-researched areas. (This can be done in partnership with research centres & individuals on the continent).

5. International
The last decade has witnessed an increase in the size and influence of transnational civil society. The Centre is keen to support research on this sector and its relationship to globalisation and global governance. In addition we will support research investigating the interaction between and the evolving relationship of Northern and Southern civil society.

Proposals must not exceed 10 pages and must reach us before the 30th of March 2002. They can be faxed or E-mailed, marked for the attention of Hermien Kotzé (Research Manager). Fax number (031)- 260 2502, E-mail: [email protected]

For further details, contact Hermien at tel. (031)-260 2248 or leave a message with Ms Poonen at (031)-260 3577.