The engagement of CSOs in digital transformation: challenges, opportunities, and solutions

Through our "Digital Inclusion through CSO Empowerment" (DICE) project, we encourage CSOs to become effective independent actors. We want CSOs to contribute to inclusive digital transformation and enhanced democratic space in Mongolia in line with the Mongolian Government's Digital Nation strategy. We empower CSOs to become independent actors by enhancing their digital skills, improving digital literacy, and supporting their engagement in legal and policy-making processes pertaining to digital transformation.

Forty-one CSOs have participated in a number of training sessions to increase their knowledge and capabilities. In the future, trainers will be selected and trained from these CSOs. Furthermore, micro-financial assistance is being granted for projects initiated by CSOs that align with the project. These activities are in line with the "Digital Nation" strategy adopted by the Government of Mongolia in 2022. This strategy will enhance digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and access to digital technologies.

It is important to decrease the divide in digital literacy among citizens and to improve digital knowledge. There is a need to make all digital services accessible to citizens to lessen differences in the digital environment caused by a lack of knowledge. The participant CSOs work closely with the public; as a result, active citizen-government interaction and information sharing through CSOs is a practical approach.

As emphasised by Delgermaa Ch, CEO of Development Assistance Center NGO, "People with disabilities encounter many problems such as a loss of information, security, becoming victims of cybercrime, being unable to access public services and online banking due to a lack of digital skills. However, we did not know how to solve them. Our organisation became a member of the Civil Society Now (CSN) platform. Since becoming a member of CSN, we have participated in the "Digital Inclusion through CSO Empowerment" (DICE) project; I learned a lot about artificial intelligence and how to ensure information security."

A summary of our study findings within "Civil Society Engagement in Policy Dialogue", revealed the following challenges encountered by the CSOs:

• Limited opportunities of CSOs involvement in policy development,
• Limited cooperation of the government and CSOs. Also, there is no strategy in place for their integration and collaboration.
• A lack of resources and interaction of CSOs weakens their impact on society,
• A lack of information sharing and transparency among government agencies,
• Insufficient research and analysis within the operation of government agencies contributes to the low engagement of CSOs.

To address digital needs and challenges, we developed the "Inclusive Digitalization Advocacy Roadmap" within the DICE project. This is possible with funding from the European Union and in partnership with the Faro Foundation NGO and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications.

The roadmap will encourage the creation of a legal framework to ensure the engagement of CSOs in the digital transition and the development of collaborative activities; it aims to prepare CSOs for the digital transition, increase their engagement at the policy level, and promote their voice and influence in the policy-making process.

Brief of the Inclusive Digitalization Advocacy Roadmap

The roadmap has been developed to implement and further improve the policy objectives of the government in relation to the digital transition by outlining the role of CSOs. The advocacy roadmap is distinguished by identifying priorities and clarifying the activities to be implemented, and the stakeholders.

In this context, the policy advocacy work has been determined within the following three main pillars.

• Carry out advocacy work to ensure the inclusiveness of CSOs in the digital transition policy, legal, and regulatory environment,
• Improve the digital skills of CSOs,
• Improve the digital skills and engagement of target groups of people through the activities of CSOs.

Furthermore, we mapped out a system to ensure the significance, effectiveness, and future sustainability of the advocacy activity by developing this, along with the actions to be taken, end target, and criteria.

The advocacy roadmap supports government policy objectives on digital transition by defining the role of CSOs and outlining key actions to engage target groups. To ensure long-term impact, the roadmap establishes a structured system for sustainability, effectiveness, and measurable outcomes.

Benefits for CSOs through the leverage of Inclusive Digitalization Advocacy Roadmap

The participation of CSOs and citizens is important in ensuring the active use and accessibility of digital media and platforms implemented by the government under the framework of digital transition policy and legal regulations. According to the Advocacy Roadmap, the following results can be achieved by increasing inclusiveness in digital transition can lead to the following results.

• Make the services of digital media and platforms implemented by the government user-friendly and improve them,
• Identify and implement activities aimed at stimulating the use of digital services and media and reflecting citizens' engagement and feedback,
• Establish inclusiveness in the legal and regulatory environment and enable the monitoring of implementation and results of policy documents.

Ultimately, the engagement of CSOs will enable to support the development of an integrated system and inclusive governance in government operations.

The "Inclusive Digitalization Advocacy Roadmap" will be an essential resource for ensuring a cohesive implementation that secures the engagement of CSOs in alignment with each stage of the digital transformation. Furthermore, it stands out with its specific objectives, plans, and areas of partnership. Therefore, we believe that by familiarising with this roadmap, it will be extensively leveraged as a tool to plan the implementation of activity related to digital transformation.

Authors of the article:

N.Khandaa, DICE Project Officer, PIN Mongolia

D.Tuvshintugs, DICE Project Manager, PIN Mongolia

D.Amarjargal, Head of Programme, PIN Mongolia