Civil Society Resource Centre A Project of the UNDP

Evans Gyampoh 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 ASHANTI-ASHANGO ASHANTI-ASHANGO BA-BANGO BA-BANGO UW-NGND UW-NGND UE-NGND UE-NGND NR-NGND NR-NGND WESTERN-WERENGO WESTERN-WERENGO CENTRAL-ANCER CENTRAL-ANCER VOLTA & K’DUA-VORANGO VOLTA & K’DUA-VORANGO

WHY THE CONSULTATIONS TO INFORM / SENSITISE YOU ABOUT THE SETTING UP OF THE CENTRE TO INFORM / SENSITISE YOU ABOUT THE SETTING UP OF THE CENTRE DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS DISCUSS HOW YOU CAN ACCESS IT DISCUSS HOW YOU CAN ACCESS IT SOLICIT YOUR VIEWS ABOUT HOW THE CENTRE SHOULD RUN TO SERVE YOUR NEEDS BETTER SOLICIT YOUR VIEWS ABOUT HOW THE CENTRE SHOULD RUN TO SERVE YOUR NEEDS BETTER

ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE ENGENDER PARTICIPATION ENGENDER PARTICIPATION OWNERSHIP OWNERSHIP VERY KEY TO ENSURE SUCCESS!!

Introduction Resource Centres serve as hubs for training, technical assistance, CSO information centres and in some cases grant programmes to develop the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs). Resource Centres serve as hubs for training, 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. 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 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 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 And the need to enhance their capacities to be able to play these roles better Capacity building – partnership – Poverty Reduction/Good Governance 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 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 coordinated research into civil society issues To promote and develop a common approach to codes of ethics and quality standards 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 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: –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 Conducted an Information Needs Assessment to identify CSO information needs This will inform us on the way to go This will inform us on the way to go

Features of the Information Centre Virtual: Virtual: Link to other Virtual resource centres Link to other Virtual resource centres Newsletters Newsletters Books on: NGO management, management of donor funds, project management, HRD, facilitation skills, advocacy, project proposals and report writing, etc Books on: NGO management, management of donor funds, project management, HRD, facilitation skills, advocacy, project proposals and report writing, etc Journals Journals Other Publications Other Publications Support for ROs to ‘electronise’ their publications/research findings 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 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 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 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 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.

Locus for CSO advocacy: The Centre will sponsor regional and national meetings and forums to bring CSOs together to examine key issues and develop a common plan of action. Locus for CSO advocacy: The Centre will sponsor 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 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 partners The Networks are going to be our major partners Resource/equip them to play expected roles Resource/equip them to play expected roles They will screen applications They will screen applications They will monitor the activities of the beneficiary CSOs and report to Centre They will monitor the activities of the beneficiary CSOs and report to Centre They will identify Resource Persons in the Regions They will identify Resource Persons in the Regions

Others Annual Training Calendar Annual Training Calendar Organisational Assessments – using IDF, etc Organisational Assessments – using IDF, etc Research – more CSIs Research – more CSIs Publications – CSN, Journals Publications – CSN, Journals Development Forums Development Forums Annual Mpuntuo Lectures – in Partnership with local CSOs Annual Mpuntuo Lectures – in Partnership with local CSOs Encourage Civil Society Self-regulation Encourage Civil Society Self-regulation Monitor and Evaluate our impact Monitor and Evaluate our impact

NOTHING LIKE FREE LUNCH? FREE MEANS FREE TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS IN CIVIL SOCIETY FREE MEANS FREE TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS IN CIVIL SOCIETY TOKEN PAYMENT FOR PRINTING AND PHOTOCOPYING TOKEN PAYMENT FOR PRINTING AND PHOTOCOPYING

How You Can Access? Be a registered and duly recognised NGO Be a registered and duly recognised NGO For training, 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 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 Formation of steering committee. This will be made up of reps of the various regional networks, a disability network, and one viable thematic network