1. Engenders Participatory Civic Engagements:
Civil society organisations promote voluntary participation in the public discourse among members of society. As a nonprofit sector, civil society organisations (CSOs) support and promote voluntary actions, accommodate diversity end champion individual visions of the public good.
2. Articulates Citizens’ Interests and Demands:
This is one very pertinent function of civil society. They help to bring into focus the interest and needs of the citizens, especially in areas where state policies and programs or of government agencies fail to take into account the needs of the poor or of some other vulnerable sections.
3. Defending Citizens’ Rights:
The civil society organisation also help to demand social justice; they clamour against injustice, marginalization and oppression. The CSOs also pursue the enforcement of citizens’ fundamental rights.
4. Serves as Watch-dog:
The CSOs help to check the excesses of political leaders and state officials
5. Nation Building:
Civil society organisations also help in developing and promoting positive social change. The CSOs develop innovative solutions that create a measurable impact on the vast number of citizens in the local area or community through mobilization and awareness campaigns.
6. Intermediary between Citizens and State:
Civil society organisations act as intermediaries between citizens and the state. They help to resolve conflicts by balancing the power of the state and the social sphere or network of various interest groups
7. Information and Education:
Civil society organisations help to inform and educate members of the public on national values; how to be good ambassadors and patriotic citizens. They educate the general public on what constitutes good moral values such as tolerance, cooperation, hard work, respect for others, selflessness and justice.
8. Promotes social values:
The civil society organisation acts as a force of proposal for new social values that respect human dignity, physical security of persons, freedoms and responsibilities. They serve as an instrument of justice, equality and rule of law.
9. Promotes rule of law:
Civil society organisations contribute immensely to promoting, protecting and advancing human rights. They are non-governmental organisations made up of activists that volunteer to fight and defend human rights by ensuring that the principles upon which democracy and rule of law stand are maintained.
10. Catalyst for change:
Civil society organisations serve as catalysts for new practices on the ground that it gives their work a social pillar, strength and legitimacy.