West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)

Deadline #extended! 📢 Apply Now: WACSI Research Fellowship 2025 Are you a passionate researcher interested in civil society in West Africa? WACSI’s Research Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to build your research skills, explore key development issues, and contribute to shaping civil society. 📌 Duration: May – October 2025 📌 Location: Hybrid (Accra, Ghana) 📌 Eligibility: Master’s/PhD students or recent graduates 🔹 Apply by 14 March 2025 Learn more & apply now: https://lnkd.in/eHjFveNy #WACSIResearchFellowship#CivilSociety#ResearchOpportunity #WestAfrica

Today is day two of the Giving for Change CoP Reflection Meeting for Ghanaian CSOs happening in Accra Ghana. We began the session by recapping yesterday’s lessons. Yesterday  we focused on: ✅ Securing the group’s agreement on the process and expected outcomes ✅ Highlighting the meeting’s objectives and its importance ✅ Exploring the aid landscape and its implications for our work ✅ Brainstorming challenges and opportunities for sustainability ✅ Discussing ways to sustain the CoP beyond the project A strong start to a collaborative journey! STAR-Ghana Foundation ICDP Ghana YEFL-Ghana The Fabulous Woman Network @Ark Development Organisation CEWEFIA @Volta Institution Development Studies Penplusbytes @Resource Link Foundation Safe-Child Advocacy Muslim Family Counselling Services @Women In Livelihood PCBR Garu Girls Shall Grow Coastal TV

La date limite est repoussée ! Les organisations communautaires (OC) et les organisations non gouvernementales (ONG) éligibles et légalement enregistrées qui travaillent sur les questions de biodiversité au Ghana, au Nigéria, au Libéria, en Guinée et au Sénégal peuvent désormais soumettre leur candidature en vue de participer à un programme de renforcement des capacités. Si votre organisation a au moins un an d'expérience, qu'elle présente un potentiel de croissance dans sa structure de gouvernance et qu'elle est passionnée par la biodiversité, c'est l'occasion ou jamais. Le programme se concentrera sur le renforcement de la gouvernance, du leadership et des compétences opérationnelles grâce à des interventions de renforcement des capacités sur mesure, à un mentorat en matière de leadership et à une bourse de recherche. Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus et nous soumettre votre candidature: https://bit.ly/41bNWSb

Today in Accra, Ghana, local CSOs under the Giving for Change Programme (GfC) have convened to reflect on the initiative’s progress and chart a path for sustainability. Hosted by WACSI and STAR-Ghana Foundation, this two-day convening (4-5 March 2025) provides a platform for CSOs to: 🔹 Assess progress and explore sustainable pathways for the Community of Practice (CoP) beyond the programme’s lifecycle 🔹 Strengthen connections and foster collaboration 🔹 Share experiences and strategies for harvesting outcomes of their work Funded by the Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, the GfC seeks to strengthen civic space and civil societies through domestic resource mobilisation, philanthropy and community giving for social change and development. This critical dialogue ensures that locally led development and community-driven philanthropy remain at the heart of change. Stay tuned for more insights!

Bonnes nouvelles ! Les organisations communautaires (OC) et les organisations non gouvernementales (ONG) éligibles et légalement enregistrées qui travaillent sur les questions de biodiversité au Ghana, au Nigéria, au Libéria, en Guinée et au Sénégal peuvent désormais soumettre leur candidature en vue de participer à un programme de renforcement des capacités. Si votre organisation a au moins un an d'expérience, qu'elle présente un potentiel de croissance dans sa structure de gouvernance et qu'elle est passionnée par la biodiversité, c'est l'occasion ou jamais. Le programme se concentrera sur le renforcement de la gouvernance, du leadership et des compétences opérationnelles grâce à des interventions de renforcement des capacités sur mesure, à un mentorat en matière de leadership et à une bourse de recherche. Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus et nous soumettre votre candidature : https://bit.ly/41bNWSb

📢 TrustAfrica Launches The Road to the Baraza Webinar Series!  TrustAfrica, in collaboration with social movement partners and allies across the continent, is set to launch The Road to the Baraza Webinar Series—a powerful journey of inspiration, solidarity, and action.  The first session, happening on 5 March 2025 at 12:00 PM GMT, will set the stage for the African Social Movements Baraza in Accra from 14 to 16 April 2025 under the theme "The Power of Movements."  At a time when inequality, injustice, human rights, democracy, and climate crises demand urgent solutions, this webinar will spark critical conversations, share key updates, and provide a platform for changemakers to connect.  📅 RSVP now for online participation and be part of the conversation on 5 March 2025!  🔗 Register here: http://bit.ly/41Ezd2x #ThePowerOfMovements #TrustAfrica #AfricaSocialMovements #BARAZA

A recap of our activities last week: 1.On February 27, WACSI organised a webinar calling for action on decolonising donor aid in West Africa. The discussion focused on historical impacts, neocolonial mindsets, and pathways for change. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3QDteEN 2. On February 25, our colleague, Omolara Balogun joined other speakers at an important webinar hosted by Humentum on the challenges faced by local CSOs. More here: https://bit.ly/3D359nJ 3.Call for application WACSI, Wilde Ganzen, and Change the Game Academy have launched the 2025 Match Funding Initiative to support Ghanaian CSOs mobilise local resources for development and community-led change. Apply here: https://bit.ly/4bpSzf1 4. From February 25 to 28, WACSI conducted a four-day Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation Training for Ghanaian CSOs. More here: https://bit.ly/4in861m 5. From 24-28 February WACSI and Baobab For Women's Human Rights with support from Ford Foundation, equipped feminist organisations and young leaders with the skills to mobilise resources, strengthen leadership, and build resilient structures for long-term impact. Here: https://bit.ly/43jckCD 6. WACSI welcomed three bright and ambitious young professionals to its flagship Next Generation Internship Programme. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4idoEJe 7. WACSI celebrated World NGO Day! Here: https://bit.ly/41Dm6OZ 8. WACSI was featured in an article by civil society and philanthropy expert David Barnard, titled “Challenges and Opportunities Facing African NGOs in 2025”. Read more here: https://bit.ly/41q7QYm 9.Call for application Applications are open for CBOs & NGOs in Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea & Senegal working on biodiversity! Apply here: https://bit.ly/3Dhb1d0 10. We spotlighted an interesting story about WACSI’s work. More here: https://bit.ly/4ko6w0N 11.WACSI, Bond UK and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office recently hosted a webinar on equitable, trust-based funding models . The discussion explored key insights from a new report, “Shaping the Future of Centrally Managed CSOs & Civic Space Programming.” Here: 12. News article ! Click here: https://bit.ly/41eWtlW 13. On 28 February, our ED, Nana Afadzinu (PhD) Asantewa, delivered a keynote speech at the Danish Parliament, highlighting the role of civil society in community-driven development. Here: https://bit.ly/41q8tBp Share your thoughts and comments with us. #LastweekinWACSI

Once upon a time in Amanga, a small village in Ghana, over 100 women faced an uncertain future.    Their survival depended on peasant farming, but every dry season brought the same hardship.    They longed for a way out—a means to sustain their families beyond the unpredictability of the seasons.    In this story, we share how a small but MIGHTY community-based organisation, GMI Global Vision Foundation, leveraged a fundraising training by WACSI to transform the lives of these women.    📌 Access the story here: https://lnkd.in/eqAjKHhi   🎥 Video story: https://lnkd.in/eqsgbPwC     For 20 years, WACSI has stood alongside local changemakers in West Africa, equipping them to transform lives in their communities.    Here’s a new report that captures why we do what we do: https://lnkd.in/ew86FiT6     #OurSuccessStory #20YearsOn #CommunityImpact #ShiftThePower

At WACSI, we have long believed that true and sustainable development comes from facilitating the agency of local communities and promoting locally led development and philanthropy. This week, our Executive Director, Nana Afadzinu (PhD), had the honor of presenting a Key speech at the Danish Parliament to a group of Danish Parliamentarians involved in shaping the upcoming Danish Development Strategy, staff from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and key members of Danish civil society. The presentation centered on the importance of locally led development and the indispensable role of civil society in shaping the future. Her presentation resonated deeply, reaffirming the need for countries' development agendas to commit to championing community-driven change worldwide. This event was organised by the Danish Civil Society Platform (CISU - Civilsamfund i Udvikling / Civil Society in Development) and leading Danish parliamentarians. #LocallyLedDevelopment #CivilSociety #WACSI #CISU #DanishParliament

“As a technical officer responsible for writing funding proposals, this training has been invaluable. Traditional proposal writing is becoming outdated, and this experience has equipped me with innovative strategies to secure funding for our projects.” – Ransford Sackey, Technical Officer, kasa initiative ghana We have successfully concluded the 4-day Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation Training (Feb 25-28, 2025) under the Response and Resilience Strengthening Programme. The final session focused on making a compelling case for mobilising support, complemented by insights from a seasoned expert who shared practical strategies for sustainable resource mobilisation. 14 participants from 7 Ghanaian CSOs dedicated to environmental conservation have enhanced their ability to navigate fundraising challenges with innovative and effective approaches. A heartfelt thank you to the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for their support in making this impactful training possible. #Advocacy #ResourceMobilisation #CSOs #EnvironmentalConservation #SustainableFunding #CEPF #CapacityBuilding