© Forus
Forus kit
Engagement Opportunities 2025
In this kit you will find information on how to engage with the various pillars of the Forus network
The capacity of our members to participate more effectively in decision-making processes, relying on collective intelligence and innovative network approaches.
Influencing decision-makers, by advocating for more effective and people-centered public policies
Working groups
- Agenda 2030
- Enabling Environment
- Financing for Development
- Digital Governance
- Local Power
- ComsForUs
Capacity strengthening
- Organisational self-assessment
- National Platforms Partnerships (Cycles)
- Leadership Development Programme
- Peer Learning & Exchanges
- Learning Modules
Fundraising
- Sharing or joint search of Fundraising opportunities
- one-on-one support
- Peer-to-peer convenings
Policy Spaces
- High Level political forum
- 4th International Conference on Financing for Development
- Internet governance fora
- Finance in Common Summit
- Second World Summit for Social Development 2025
Projects
- EU System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society
- Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment
- Finance in Common
- Collaborative reports and case studies.
- Amplify reports, calls for actions, press releases from our members
/ Voices of Forus
Connect: join the working group - register here
1
Objectives
- Share insights on Agenda 2030 and SDG advocacy.
- Learn from peer exchange and best practices.
- Support members’ SDG advocacy plans.
- Align strategies across levels for greater impact.
2
Activities
- Host bi-monthly peer exchanges and workshops; assess network priorities.
- Provide tools and resources for SDG advocacy and monitoring.
- Join global forums to promote key Forus issues.
- Coordinate campaigns to scale advocacy locally and globally.
3
Outputs
- Reports and case studies on local needs and advocacy focus.
- Toolkits on SDG implementation and advocacy strategies.
- Capacity-building updates and national project support around VNRs.
- Unified messages reflecting network priorities.
Dr Jyotsna Mohan Singh
To get involved contact Dr. Jyotsna Mohan Singh, Forus Advocacy Officer, [email protected]. Visit the Agenda 2030 Forus page, and register to the Working Group here.
Our Campaigns on the Agenda 2030
Connect: join the working group - register here
1
Objectives
- Foster collaboration and shared strategy among members.
- Advocate for an enabling civic space.
- Promote the positive role of CSOs.
- Build member capacity for advocacy.
2
Activities
- Hold bi-monthly meetings to coordinate, share updates, and align advocacy efforts.
- Identify barriers and push for legal and policy reforms.
- Run awareness campaigns and counter harmful narratives.
- Provide trainings, workshops, and strategic support.
3
Outputs
- Stronger network coordination and shared advocacy goals.
- Reports, case studies, and policy recommendations.
- Advocacy messages and public engagement tools.
- Toolkits, webinars, and capacity-building resources.
Marie L'Hostis
Elisa Lopez Alvarado
Lena Muhs
To learn more contact Marie L'Hostis, Forus Advocacy Coordinator, [email protected] as well as the EU SEE Team Elisa López, EU SEE Project Coordinator, [email protected] & Lena Muhs, EU SEE Researcher, lena@forus-international.org. Visit the Enabling Environment Forus Page and register to the Working Group here.
Our Projects and Campaigns on an Enabling Environment for civil society
Connect: join the working group - register here
1
Objectives
- Serve as Forus’ expert group on Financing for Sustainable Development (FfSD), developing joint policy positions and strategies on ODA, development banks, debt relief, tax justice, and climate finance and develop collective policy positions and strategies based on national and regional insights.
- Advise Forus governance and members on key FfSD priorities, and represent the network in relevant global processes and forums.
2
Activities
- Hold bi-monthly peer exchange sessions (1.5 hrs) to share knowledge, best practices, and coordinate advocacy efforts across regions.
- Participate in major international events while gathering inputs from members to inform positions.
3
Outputs
- Clear and coherent policy positions and advocacy strategies reflecting the collective voice of the network.
- Regular updates and capacity-building resources provided to members, including webinars, expert-led discussions, and shared communication tools.
Marianne Buenaventura Goldman
To get involved contact Marianne Buenaventura Goldman, Project coordinator, Finance for Development, [email protected]. Visit the FfSD Forus Page and register to the Working Group here.
Our Financing for Sustainable Development Hub
Connect: join the working group - register here
1
Objectives
- Build member capacity in digitalization and digital governance to enable effective participation in policy fora.
- Share lessons and knowledge based on real-world experiences.
- Foster Global North–Global South collaboration to address shared digital challenges.
2
Activities
- Quarterly webinars on key topics and emerging issues.
- Event-specific webinars to prepare members for digital policy discussions.
- Guided joint learning activities among members.
3
Outputs
- National, regional, and global campaigns on emerging digital topics.
- Member-led articles on emerging digital issues.
- Participation in multilateral and multi-stakeholder digital policy processes.
Explore our campaigns and initiatives linked to digital
Connect: join the working group - register here
1
Objectives
- Connect members and communication experts to share experiences and ideas on communications and storytelling.
- Create synergies across and beyond the Forus network in digital communications and media partnerships.
- Understand members’ communications challenges and opportunities.
2
Activities
- Bi-monthly meetings on key topics like digital content, strategy, AI, and civic space communication.
- Collaborate around international events to share collective messages.
- Amplify member campaigns on key themes (gender, climate, human rights, SDGs, etc.).
3
Outputs
- Forus Communicators Network
- Forus Campaigns
- Podcast Guide - Tip sheets & resource lists - “How to” blogs - Communications Clinic
Bibbi Abruzzini
Clarisse Sih
To engage in Communications activities contact Bibbi Abruzzini, Forus Communications Coordinator, [email protected] & Clarisse Sih, Forus Digital Communications Coordinator, [email protected].
Organisational self-assessment
Network wide exercise to reflect on the status and performance of the network to collectively celebrate the progress made annually and contribute to the prioritisation of areas to improve.
National Platforms Partnerships
Diverse range of tools that include dedicated financial and in-kind support to selected groups of members per year to fund their organisational development plans and close the gaps identified in their organisational self-assessment.
Leadership Development Programme
Hybrid (online and in-person) process of collective learning and collaboration reflecting among a small group of members interested in innovating and dynamizing the governance and management structures and approaches of their network.
Explore the latest edition of the Forus Leadership Development Programme
Peer Learning & Exchanges
In coordination with members availabilities and interest, members will exchange in a semi-structured space on a selected topic that they feel comfortable and that will contribute to the development of other national platforms. Whether it is about members engagement, volunteers’ coordination, fundraising, campaigning, etc.
Learning Modules
Core competencies have been identified as crucial by most of Forus members through the annual Membership Surveys. The training on this areas will be provided by internal and external practitioners in areas such as a) resource mobilization and effective financial management; b) monitoring and evaluation and ethical data collection and management; c) strategic communications, storytelling and public speaking; and d) digital skills, security, awareness and the opportunities of artificial intelligence in social change. Members shape and expand these areas of interest and learning through the different feedback channels and accountability mechanisms.
Maria Elisa Novoa
To learn more contact Elisa Novoa, Forus Capacity Strengthening Coordinator, [email protected]. Visit the Capacity strengthening Forus Page.
Tailored support
Our Fundraising Manager is pleased to meet with members to better understand their priorities and explore how Forus can offer more targeted support in the future. These conversations may include:
- Sharing relevant funding opportunities
- Reviewing draft funding applications
- Discussing the creation or improvement of fundraising strategies and systems
- Identifying common challenges and opportunities for peer learning
- Exploring possibilities to join or form consortia for joint fundraising initiatives
These exchanges aim to strengthen the fundraising capacity of national platforms and support long-term sustainability through collaboration and strategic support.
Dedicated webpage
Forus has created a dedicated webpage highlighting several websites that can support you in identifying funding opportunities and strengthening your fundraising systems. Please note that this webpage is exclusively available to Forus members and should not be shared beyond our network.
This webpage is meant to be used as a tool complementing Forus’ Toolkit on Exploring New Funding Approaches for Civil Society.
Paul-Gilbert Colletaz
For support, contact Paul-Gilbert Colletaz, Forus Fundraising Manager, [email protected]. Visit the Funding Opportunities Forus Page.
Arturo Cortés Barbabosa
For support, Arturo Cortés Barbabosa, Coordinator - MEAL, Organizational Effectiveness and Special Projects, [email protected].
Still have doubts on how to engage?
If you're unsure where to start or how to make the most of your engagement with the network, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Membership Engagement and Network Management Officer. You can book a time to share updates from your platform, brainstorm ideas, or simply get the latest news on opportunities within the network. If time is a challenge, we can help you prioritize your involvement and adapt it to your reality. Whether you want to propose an idea, connect with other members, or just explore what’s possible — we’re here to support you!
Jennifer Franco Rodriguez
Contact Jennifer Franco Rodríguez, Forus Member Engagement and Network Management officer, [email protected].