Transcript Introduction - G-RAP

Civil Society Resource Centre
A Project of the UNDP
www.ghanacivilsociety.org
Evans Gyampoh
[email protected]
024-314-3502
Civil Society Resource Centre
Blk A, Rm A, UN Flats
(Behind Fire Service Hq, within the
same yard as UNFPA)
Ring Road East
Accra
Nine Consultations already
undertaken in 9 Regions
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ASHANTI-ASHANGO
BA-BANGO
UW-NGND
UE-NGND
NR-NGND
WESTERN-WERENGO
CENTRAL-ANCER
VOLTA & K’DUA-VORANGO
WHY THE CONSULTATIONS
• TO INFORM / SENSITISE YOU ABOUT THE
SETTING UP OF THE CENTRE
• DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS
• DISCUSS HOW YOU CAN ACCESS IT
• SOLICIT YOUR VIEWS ABOUT HOW THE
CENTRE SHOULD RUN TO SERVE YOUR
NEEDS BETTER
ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE
• ENGENDER PARTICIPATION
• OWNERSHIP
VERY KEY TO ENSURE SUCCESS!!
Introduction
• Resource Centres serve as hubs for training,
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technical assistance, CSO information centres
and in some cases grant programmes to develop
the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs).
They also serve as organizing bodies for
developing the advocacy skills of CSO platforms
to influence policy.
And specialized services and support to CSOs
engaged and service delivery
Role of the UN
• The UN recognises the important role
played by civil society organisations in
poverty reduction and good governance
• And the need to enhance their capacities
to be able to play these roles better
• Capacity building  partnership  Poverty
Reduction/Good Governance
Objectives
With its primary audience for capacity building being
institutions and individuals from civil society
organisations, the Centre is envisioned to be a premier
institute for capacity development for the sector
• To provide a platform for developing better coordination
and collaboration among Civil Society Organisations
• To promote and develop coordinated research into civil
society issues
• To promote and develop a common approach to codes of
ethics and quality standards
• To serve as the interface between UNDP and CSOs in
Ghana
Why Capacity Building?
Capacity building is the development of an
organization’s core skills and capabilities in order
to build the organization’s effectiveness. The
following are some capacity areas:
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Leadership and leadership dynamics
Management skills
Advocacy skills
Fundraising and resource mobilisation
Monitoring and Evaluation
Integration, coordination, linkages and networking for
organisations
– Data collection/reporting
– Management Information Systems development
– Computer skills
Information Resources
• Conducted an Information Needs
Assessment to identify CSO information
needs
• This will inform us on the way to go
Features of the Information Centre
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Virtual: www.ghanacivilsociety.org
Link to other Virtual resource centres
Newsletters
Books on: NGO management, management of donor
funds, project management, HRD, facilitation skills,
advocacy, project proposals and report writing, etc
Journals
Other Publications
Support for ROs to ‘electronise’ their
publications/research findings
In addition, the Centre will conduct research on
various literature available for CSOs to stock in the
library
Provision for Persons With Disability
• Architectural limitations of present location
• In touch with the Ghana Federation of the
Disabled to advise on the development of
a Resource Centre for PWD
• Located on the ground floor of the CSO
Resource Centre
Other Direct Services to be
Provided at the Centre
• Use of computers connected to Internet
• Use of Conference Room
• The library will be well stocked with useful
literature for the work of CSOs
• Training in the use of IT to enhance users’
IT skills
• Printing
• Photocopying
Unique Features
• Recognized and valued resources for local CSOs. It is
envisaged that the demand for the services of the Centre
will be high, potentially surpassing its capacity. The
Centre will thus be expanded, while regional or zonal
Centres will be established to take care of the increased
demand
• Responsive to the needs of the CSO community in Ghana.
A local advisory board/steering committee will be
established to solicit input from key CSOs and other
stakeholders. This board/committee will assist the Centre
staff to develop sustainability plans that will guide the
Centre toward becoming a more independent Ghanaian
civil society resource organization.
Unique Features
• Locus for CSO advocacy: The Centre will sponsor
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regional and national meetings and forums to
bring CSOs together to examine key issues and
develop a common plan of action.
Repositories of technical resources for CSOs:
The Centre will maintain an extensive resources
library on civil society development and CSOs
and NGOs in Ghana
Partnership with the Networks
• The Networks are going to be our major
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partners
Resource/equip them to play expected roles
They will screen applications
They will monitor the activities of the beneficiary
CSOs and report to Centre
They will identify Resource Persons in the
Regions
Others
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Annual Training Calendar
Organisational Assessments – using IDF, etc
Research – more CSIs
Publications – CSN, Journals
Development Forums
Annual Mpuntuo Lectures – in Partnership with
local CSOs
Encourage Civil Society Self-regulation
Monitor and Evaluate our impact
NOTHING LIKE FREE LUNCH?
• FREE MEANS FREE TO INDIVIDUALS AND
ORGANISATIONS IN CIVIL SOCIETY
• TOKEN PAYMENT FOR PRINTING AND
PHOTOCOPYING
How You Can Access?
• Be a registered and duly recognised NGO
• For training,
– Fill application form
– Short essay explaining the type of training
required, how that training fits into your
current work, and how it will benefit you
– We will monitor your work
Next Steps
• Meeting of all network coordinators to
discuss the outcomes of the consultations
• Formation of steering committee. This will
be made up of reps of the various regional
networks, a disability network, and one
viable thematic network