The CSPF is a key event during the World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund Spring and Annual Meetings. This forum provides an open space for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)* to dialogue and exchange views with World Bank Group and IMF staff, their peers, government delegations, and other stakeholders on a wide range of shared development issues. The CSPF took place October 10-13, 2023, in Marrakech, Morocco with hybrid components.
The call for proposals for the Annual Meetings 2023 Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF) closed on July 31, 2023.
A total of 33 sessions were selected for the CSPF. Find a schedule here.
For a complete overview of the Annual Meetings and CSPF, visit the Frequently Asked Questions.
Subscribe to the World Bank Civil Society Newsletter for updates on the CSPF.
Questions? Write to civilsociety@worldbank.org.
About the CSPF
The CSPF is a key event during the World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund (WBG-IMF) Spring and Annual Meetings. The forum provides an open space for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)* to dialogue and exchange views with WBG and IMF staff, their peers, government delegations, and other stakeholders on a wide range of shared development issues.
It convenes twice a year coinciding with the WBG-IMF Spring and Annual Meetings in April and October. The CSPF has become an integral part of the WBG-IMF Meetings, providing an open space for CSOs to dialogue and exchange views with Bank and IMF staff, their peers, government delegations, and other stakeholders on a wide range of topics.
A core component of the CSPF is CSO-organized dialogue sessions that run concurrently throughout the Forum. CSOs and CSO networks who are interested in organizing sessions are invited to submit their proposals during the Call for Proposals that opens approximately two months ahead of each CSPF.
APPROXIMATE TIMELINE FOR THE CSPF**
Spring Meetings CSPF APRIL | Annual Meetings CSPF OCTOBER |
Call for session proposals: January - February CSO registration: February - March | Call for session proposals: May - July CSO registration: August-September |
Costs
Registration and participation in the WBG-IMF Meetings and CSPF is free. Unfortunately, we have come across some entities offering to register participants for a fee. If you come across any such entity, please report them to civilsociety@worldbank.org so we can take appropriate action.
Application Process
All CSO applications go through an initial review by the Civil Society Team of the World Bank Group to ensure that the applicants represent relevant CSOs. (See "What are CSOs?" paragraph in the overview page). Applications are then reviewed by the relevant Executive Directors' offices (based on the country where the CSO is based or mainly operates and/or the nationality of the requester). Once approved, participants will be notified by email of the final decision. There is no limit on the number of applicants from a single organization, but each applicant must apply individually.
Since the review and approval process can take up to 21 days, we encourage CSOs to apply early to allow for the relevant reviews and clearances.
CSPF WORKING GROUP
The CSPF Working Group is an elected group of CSO representatives that serve as a civil society interlocutor with the WBG and IMF civil society teams to effectively achieve the objectives of the Forum as a means for engagement and a platform for a globally and thematically diverse group of civil society to voice their concerns, share ideas and experiences, and dialogue with staff on a wide range of issues and development topics.
Towards this end, the CSPF Working Group actively contributes to the planning and organization of the CSPF. The Working Group is also tasked with fostering closer CSO/WB and IMF dialogue on how to improve the CSPF. The Working Group has a mandate of two years. See Terms of Reference for more information.
2022- 2024 Working Group:
2020-2022 Working Group:
2017-2019 Working Group:
LIST OF CIVIL SOCIETY POLICY FORUMS