Read: civil society 3: NGO's and their contribution to the development of the civil society

A broadly used definition of civil society is: the space between state, market and citizens. It is an area where each party can join efforts in freedom of speech and expression and  where freedom exists for corporate life.

This definition links civil society to democracy. Who wants to develop democracy has to develop the civil society.

NGO's are pre-eminently the organisations which arise from civil society and which in turn are co-designers of it.

The role of a NGO in the development of the civil society.

SERVICE DELIVERY, FILLING IN A VACUUM
Some NGO's restrict themselves to service delivery for specific groups for whom otherwise no service is available.
With their work they are just one of the inhabitants of the civil society.

QUESTIONING THE STRUCTURAL REASONS FOR A VACUUM IN THE SOCIETY
Some service delivering NGO's reckon it to their responsibility to explore the reasons for the necessity of their work.. This secondary task involves raising political awareness and societal or political analysis. Often this gives an extra legitimacy to the existence of the organisation.

Such organisations make a start in contributing to the further development of civil society.

BEING PART OF THE SYSTEM  OF CHECKS AND BALANCES
Some NGO's consider the further development of the civil society as their co-responsibility, sometimes even as their primary goal.
Such NGO's make their government (and or the market parties) accountable on their efforts to meet international agreements on major issues (environmental, human rights, women issues etc.). The NGO's, by doing this, function as a booster for Good Governance, Caring Companies and for the implementation of democracy.