Collaboration and “branching out” are two extremely important factors for civil society organisations to amplify impact and find new partners and allies. Since 2017, Forus has been establishing partnerships with its national members so that they can implement practical capacity development projects elaborated by themselves and aligned with their and their members’ specific needs. One of the main improvements noted in the network was in terms of collaboration and synergy of Forus’ members with other strategic actors and with their own members. How can one set up structures and partnerships that are sustainable? 

Here’s 4 examples from the Forus network. 

Changing public policies and development paradigms 

Coordinadora ONGD in Spain, organised a multi-sectoral event called Quorum Global. The project’s main objective was to strengthen joint political action and the capacity for transformation of civil society organisations for the construction of a development model based on human rights, gender equity and environmental sustainability. The Quorum Global meeting brought together about 400 people in Malaga. It was a participative and plural meeting where civil society organisations and initiatives from all over Spain joined forces on key areas and perspectives for social transformation: migration, international solidarity, development, ecology, feminism, communication, social economy, knowledge generation, human rights and social action. This project, which focused on capacity development and the establishment of supra-sectoral partnerships, allowed Coordinadora to create its own working dynamics, through commissions in a climate of knowledge and mutual trust, necessary to give continuity to future joint actions. The logic was driven by multidimensionality or intersectionality which incited a change in the way of civil society thinking and actions. 

Similarly, with Forus support, CCONG in Colombia, managed to strengthen new relationships with various national and international social and public actors, which resulted helpful for other networks working in the country as well (Pro de Paz, Alianza para la Niñez). The platform also developed new channels of dialogue with two regional nodes in the country, and on a larger scale, the once fractured dialogue with the UN is being rebuilt. 

ANC in Peru, focused on the articulation and strengthening of strategic sectors and of civil society, to measure the implementation of Agenda 2030 across the country. The project contributed to the monitoring of citizen’s role in keeping up with public policies, reflecting and analysing strategic topics related to Agenda 2030. ANC’s presence and visibility were  strengthened, the platform is now seen as a collective space for reflection and action, and their members’ performance in the multiple articulation mechanisms between the State and civil society has improved. 

From Local to Global 

PPONGD in Portugal, worked with the platform from São Tomé et Principe FONG-STP to create a new network of Portuguese-speaking platforms called RePLONG. Through this Network, PPONGD hopes to unite the platforms from Brazil (ABONG), São Tomé et Principe (FONG STP), East-Timor (FONGTIL), Angola (FONGA), Mozambique (JOINT) and Cape Verde (PLATONG) and strengthen their partnerships. In this case, multiple joint advocacy initiatives took place and “through the definition of the advocacy strategy for the Network that was prepared within the project, governments in each country may be held responsible in the future”. Since the project mainly concerned advocacy efforts, the partners will continue to seek and to create opportunities for in person meetings and to implement their advocacy strategy at pan-national level. 

Going Online 

ZCSD in Zambia, developed a website to broaden its audience. Likewise, Dóchas in Ireland, has used Forus’ support to develop its new online identity. Communication within Dóchas’ membership improved as a result of the website as well as online webinars and diverse working groups. The website is also allowing Dóchas’ members to further tell their stories. Similarly, ACCIÓN in Chile, has focused its efforts into the renewal of its institutional website, both in terms of user experience and content sharing. Thanks to the project, ACCIÓN was able to position itself once again in various newspapers, social medi channels and in the context of the dialogue in the historic constituent process in Chile, through webinars and conversations organized with various civil society actors such as constituent candidates and representatives of organizations and networks. 

Finally, MACOSS in the Mauritius, was able to develop and implement a communication strategy with Forus’ support, the result of which witnessed a visible increase in social media presence, in part due to its new website. MACOSS was able to develop a “Digital Communications Room” and renewed its newsletter, as well as other forms of communication with the general public and relevant stakeholders.  

Two is better than One! 

Between 2017 and 2021, Forus has partnered with and supported 49 of its national members for 46 capacity development projects. 3 of them took place in consortium, since Forus members are encouraged to develop joint initiatives as a means to strengthen links and synergies between them, as well as promoting mutual learning. 

CCC in Cambodia & FoRS in the Czech Republic, implemented a project in consortium, aimed at strengthening the work of civil society organisations around advocacy in both countries. FoRS developed its internal processes, notably in the preparation of their new strategic plan, learning from the impacts of the pandemic. CCC, in turn, conducted a members mapping study, and a feasibility study on partnership and collaboration among CCC and FoRS members and partners, the latter proving particularly beneficial in terms of joint program development. In addition, CCC was able to better grasp members’ needs and challenges pertaining to an enabling environment for civil society. 

 Similarly, UNNGOF in Uganda and the Lithuanian NGDO Platform implemented a project in consortium which aimed at strengthening internal governance and communication practices. Besides the active collaboration between both organisations’ secretariats in terms of knowledge-sharing and capacity building, through this project, UNNGOF implemented an internal communication protocol. 

Curious to know more? Discover Forus capacity development projects supporting national members here