Local Legislation and Development for Civil Society

This article analyzes the potential of the Guangxi Regional Civil Affairs Guidance on Construction and Management of Community-based Social Organizations to support the development of the CBSO sector. This article also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of all five options open to CBSOs for registration and/or to be formally constituted. The Guidance was only ratified on 21 May 2009 and consequently, there is little experience with its effectiveness to date. As this article shows, the options for registration remain complex and CBSOs need to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of all options before they proceed. A case-by-case approach is strongly recommended. The article includes specific recommendations, as follows: Support operationalization of the Guidance and clarify procedures, Support the growing partnership between government and CBSOs, Strengthen CBSO capacity and organizational development, Document and disseminate models of successful registration, Facilitate additional technical assistance to further explore commercial registration.