The growth of civil society over the past 20 years has been one of the most significant trends in international development. Civil society organizations (CSOs)--which include groups that do not belong to government or the private sector such as, labor unions, NGOs, faith-based organizations, community groups and foundations--are not only influential in the international development policy debate but have become important channels for the delivery of social services and new development programs. CSO involvement in projects we have funded has risen from 21 percent of all projects in 1990 to about 72 percent in 2005. We are also increasingly supporting CSOs by sharing more information and offering skills training. We also provide grants to CSOs to rebuild war-torn communities, provide social services and support community development. Our civil society staff in more than 70 offices around the world consult and work with CSOs on a range of issues from preventing AIDS and developing microcredit to fighting corruption and protecting the environment.