The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing the capacity building of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe, especially NANGO members.
The MOU was signed between NANGO, the coordinating body of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe, and Intellectus Campus, a registered and accredited training provider operating in five countries currently, namely South Africa, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The first phase of the MoU is expected to run for three years (2023 – 2025), and both parties are committed to ensuring its successful implementation.
The purpose of this new partnership is to build on existing capacity development initiatives in view to strengthen the NGO sector’s ability to effectively deliver on its mandate. The partnership will focus on the provision of technical assistance, broadly ranging from financial management, and project management to transformative leadership. Through this partnership, it is anticipated that the capacity-building initiatives to be rolled out will help CSOs build stronger internal systems that enable them to deliver quality services to communities in need throughout the country.
As NANGO, we acknowledge the significance of enhancing the skills and abilities of our members, and as such capacity development of member organisations is one of the strategic thrusts under the newly ushered strategic plan (2023-2025). The organisation aims to position itself as the primary resource for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) seeking to improve their capacity through training, mentorship, knowledge management, and operational assistance.
To achieve this goal, NANGO will focus on providing comprehensive and tailored support to its members, leveraging its expertise and experience in the field. By becoming the go-to hub for CSO capacitation, NANGO aims to foster a culture of continuous learning and development within the civil society sector, ultimately contributing to the growth and sustainability of these organisations. Concomitantly, Intellectus Campus is in a drive build to a diverse community of career beginners and seasoned professionals through offering high-quality education, training, and development opportunities to transform themselves as scholars, practitioners, and researchers so that they can effect positive social change.
At the centre of NANGO’s objective to capacitate its membership lies the crucial need to establish strategic partnerships with various partners from different sectors. While NANGO may not have the necessary skills, tools, or resources (technical and financial) to enhance the capacities of its members, forging partnerships can help bridge this gap. This new partnership with Intellectus Campus aligns with NANGO’s new trajectory and comes at a critical time when the association is rolling out its new strategic plan. The civil society sector is in need of organisational development and capacity building, and this partnership can help address these pressing needs. It is also imperative to invest in building stronger and more vibrant NGOs in light of the repression and shrinking civic space where the accountability and legitimacy of NGOs are questioned.
This partnership will, therefore, enable NANGO to provide its members with the necessary tools and skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the civil society sector. It is a significant step towards achieving NANGO’s objectives and ensuring the adaptability, resilience, and sustainability of the civil society sector in Zimbabwe. The partnership marks an important milestone in the efforts of NANGO to enhance capacity-building efforts in the NGO Sector and create a more skilled and empowered workforce necessary for NANGO members to deliver on their mandates and missions.
Under the MoU, Intellectus Campus and NANGO will jointly develop and implement a series of capacity-building activities, including workshops, seminars, webinars, coaching sessions, and other forms of training. The training programs will cover a wide range of topics, including proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, thought leadership, and project management among others, and will be tailored to the needs and interests of CSOs including students with a passion for humanitarian work.
