There has been increasing concern to understand the realities that affect how international and local
NGOs operate in many countries. Globally, there is high-level agreement on the value of greater
inclusion of civil society within policy-making processes, resulting in commitments to put in place an
enabling environment for civil society to function. In some countries progressive legislation is being
passed to facilitate this. However, in many countries legislation regulating the operation of NGOs is
weak or poorly implemented. This often reflects wider social, political and economic constraints on
citizens to express themselves and to hold state authorities to account. Throughout 2013 frustrations
erupted in protests, sometimes violent, in many parts of the world.
This report examines the legal framework and real operating environment in six countries, selected by
the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for study: Egypt, Kosovo,
Myanmar, Peru, Rwanda and Vietnam. The report builds on an earlier study analysing Bangladesh,
Ethiopia, Honduras, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia and Uganda.