In the context of reduced funding for civil society organisations and the complex, shifting environments for networks, it became imperative for all forms of civil society to invest in even more agile organisational systems, representative and inclusive leadership, engaged and committed membership and relentless innovation and solidarity. 

Moreover, Forus’ members prioritised organisational strengthening in the 2024 Membership Survey. As response, a Peer Committee composed of 8 Forus members (Cooperation Canada; CODE-NGO Philippines; Red Encuentro – Argentina; FONGTO – TOGO; CNONGD-DRC; ANONG-Uruguay; JOINT – Mozambique; FONGSTP-Sao Tome Principe) was constituted, laying down the framework of the different possibilities to support the network in the most relevant and effective way. 

Today, we share the early insights and reflections from the first four months of Forus diverse network strengthening efforts. In the following bulletins you will receive the early signs of change captured by Forus members in the different mechanisms.  

Forus Organisational Self-Assessment (August-September 2024) was a network-wide exercise that proved to be of great value for the coordination units of platforms, opening an opportunity for reflection and growth at the national level. At the global level this exercise gave an understanding – even partial - of the network’s strengths and shared interests. Once a year the Peer Committee’s will revisit the priority areas on Network Development based on the changing context of civil society platforms and coalitions and update the next Organisational Self-Assessment. Available in July 2025. 

KEY FINDINGS FROM 2024: Most of the national platforms found themselves in basic/moderate maturity levels of network development. As a result, members identified their strengths, their priority areas to develop in the short term, as well as their preferred learning spaces and mechanisms to engage in 2025.