In 2011, the Institute commissioned a regional edited volume titled “Civil Society and Development in West Africa.” The volume aims to provide a thorough synopsis of the operational capacity of civil society in the 15 ECOWAS member states, as well as articulate civil society contributions to development in West Africa.

The overall objective of the edited volume is to provide the most up-to-date information on the capacity of civil society to act as an essential component of economic and democratic development, and an assessment of the country environment for civil society's development effectiveness.

The volume will provide an “insider's view” on the institutional and operational capacity of civil society in West Africa and document the success stories, difficulties and challenges that civil society activists/practitioners face in ECOWAS member states.

Thus far, 14 contributors out of 15 have submitted their articles. An external reviewer was contracted to harmonise, restructure, and edit the completed country reports. This process has been completed.

The project is at the final stage which involves in-house editing and restructuring. It is envisaged that the regional edited volume will be ready for publication in the second quarter of 2012.