A/HRC/32/20 Capacity-building 69. Recognizing the value of a free and dynamic civil society, several countries, including Croatia, the Czech Republic and Lithuania, have prioritized investment in its development and professionalization. Examples of training for civil society include specialist programmes in Burkina Faso, training of members of groups experiencing discrimination, including persons with disabilities,58 on participation in public affairs and the inclusion of civil society actors in government delegations to international forums to expose them to international meetings and hone their advocacy and negotiation skills. OHCHR field presences also provide human rights training for civil society. 70. In Croatia, training raises the awareness of public officials working at the national and local levels of the importance of cooperation with civil society. Training programmes for public officials are often developed and co-presented with civil society representatives from different sectors and in some cases are linked with training on related international human rights standards and implementation of human rights recommendations. Empowering women and girls through programmes to strengthen their skills is critical. The presidential programme Ciudad Mujer, run by the Ministry of Social Inclusion of El Salvador, provides a safe and supportive environment where women can receive advice on human rights and training in business and technical support. 71. OHCHR field presences provide information and advice to civil society groups, organizing training sessions and seminars to strengthen their human rights advocacy and facilitate engagement with the United Nations human rights system.59 2. Funding 72. Predictability of core funding is fundamental for civil society organizations to work effectively and independently, undertake long-term planning and adapt to evolving situations.60 As noted by the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, the right to freedom of association includes the ability to seek, receive and use resources – human, material and financial – from domestic, foreign and international sources (see A/HRC/23/39, para. 8). 73. Steps to stimulate the financial independence of civil society organizations include tax exemption and simpler taxation requirements, as in Croatia; reducing and simplifying financial reports and audits; and reduced bank interest rates and transfer costs, 61 with tax incentives for business and other donors, as in the Czech Republic. 74. Funding for civil society activities may be channelled via open and transparent processes from State or private lotteries and other games of chance, as in the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; from foundations;62 or through dedicated budget lines in respective ministries, as in Burkina Faso. Donor flexibility is important to ensure that funds are available for long-standing civil society partners and to create opportunities for informal groups and non-traditional actors.63 The Government of Japan developed a system of bestowing legal personality on organizations that engage in specified non-profit activities to promote the development of 58 59 60 61 62 63 International Disability Alliance. OHCHR, Civil Society Space and the United Nations Human Rights System: A Practical Guide for Civil Society (Geneva, n.d.). Open Dialog Foundation, Brussels; European Network of Political Foundations. OSCE/ODIHR. Civic Space Initiative. Freedom House. 15