The Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness is a unique space for CSOs (Civil Society Organisations) worldwide to engage in a global and fully participatory process towards defining and introducing a framework of mutually shared development effectiveness principles.

The Open Forum aims to provide a learning space, based on mutual trust, where CSOs can discuss issues and challenges relevant to their work and relationships as development actors.

Through the Open Forum, which will be operating from 2009 until the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in 2011, CSOs are striving to build a consensus on commonly accepted principles to improve their development effectiveness and on minimum standards for enabling environment where CSOs can fully apply and strengthen their specific roles in development.

This framework will take account of CSO development visions, approaches, relationships, and impacts of their actions. The Open Forum will also facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues with and among CSOs, donors and governments on these issues at country, regional and international levels.