Zimbabwe AIDS Network (ZAN) with support from Amplify Change hosted journalists for an engagement on pro-key populations budget, policy advocacy and analysis.
The meeting set to introduce journalists to HIV key populations programming in Zimbabwe, propose strategies for effective evidence based health reporting and discuss common approaches to advocacy for increased key populations’ access to health services.
It was commendable that reporters and editors that attended the meeting managed to identify key populations as sex workers, LGBTIQ, prisoners and artisanal miners. Some said they understood that key populations generally receive negative publicity in the media because they are stigmatized.
The ZAN Deputy Board Chairman, Walter Chikanya, said “HIV prevalence rates among certain key populations including sex workers, transgender persons and prisoners are significantly higher than those of the general population”.
Chikanya explained that key populations are more vulnerable to HIV infection for reasons such as more frequent exposure to the virus, involvement in risky behaviours, weak family and social support systems, marginalization, lack of resources and inadequate access to health care services.
“In addition stigma and discrimination are widely recognized as undermining efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and pose barriers to accessing care and treatment services,” he said.
Chikanya encouraged journalists to have open dialogue, share experiences and recommendations that strengthen collaboration of civil society and the media seeing as social exclusion and health inequalities facing key populations means they cannot benefit from health services.
Journalists were also reminded to inform the public about what really causes or contributes to public health and development issues, and educate them about the concept of a healthy community, recast public health concerns and encourage other professionals and community members to find out more about public health and development issues in general, and to get involved.
Journalists also brought to light that looking at the legal framework in Zimbabwe, it’s a challenge to advocate for LGBTIQ priorities in the media and the same legal barriers make it difficult to write positively about LGBTIQ in state controlled media houses. It was also highlighted that due to fear of being labelled journalists shun writing about LGBTIQ.
The meeting resolved that there is need for positive engagement between the media and CSOs and a need to create safe spaces where the media can interact with key populations and get to write their stories.
ZAN also noted the need to incentivise journalists through issuing awards in order to improve coverage of health by the mainstream media.
12 Tips to Build Great NGO Partnerships for Donor Funding Applications
There are many good reasons for NGOs to work together to reach a common goal. When each partner brings its own expertise and resources to a program the impact can be multiplied. The sum total of the partnership is worth more than what each NGO can achieve on its own. Donors know this and often promote or require NGO partnerships for this very reason.
Joint donor applications by a group of NGOs, also called a consortium, are becoming more common. In a consortium, one NGO typically takes on the lead role (also known as the lead applicant or prime) with the other NGOs acting as supporting partners. Typically the lead partner signs the contract with the donor, receives the grant into its bank account, and takes responsibility for managing the partnership. It gives the lead partner significant control for which clear agreements are needed. NGO supporting partners can also benefit from this arrangement by accessing funds they may otherwise have been out of their reach, and minimize their own managerial and overhead costs.
While there are many benefits to partnering, there are many challenges as well to maintaining successful partnerships. Fortunately, here are twelve tried and tested principles that will help all partners work in an atmosphere of trust and avoid conflict.
Before the project starts
Start early
Do not wait for the donor to publish a funding announcement on FundsforNGOs before you ask potential NGO partners to joins forces. If you make a habit of planning programs with partners you can actively fundraise from potential donors. Working together with partners should be an organizational priority to maximize impact, even if it does not lead to funding in the short term.
Use each partners’ strengths
Partners should take on those activities that they are best suited for in the project. By focusing on program success, and not on who will gain the most from the partnership, you ensure that each partner’s role complements to other and all partners win. Program success will in turn generate additional donor interest in the program and sometimes more funding. Success attracts success.
Choose a lead
One partner often needs to play the lead role and partners need to decide early on which NGO will play that role. As the lead partner will have a large amount of control over the budget it should act in good faith and earn the trust of all others. Even if all partners are equals, organizing projects typically works best with a clear leader.
Agree on activities and budget
Develop a set of activities and assign each set of activities to each partner. Once the activities have been agreed upon, the budget linked to those activities should be earmarked to the NGO implementing the activities. The relevant partner should also receive the indirect and overhead costs associated with those activities. While the lead partner normally receives a larger part of the budget, they should not shortchange the other partners. Partners should negotiate the budget in an atmosphere of trust and honesty. When agreements are made they should be honored once funding is received.
Develop a system to resolve disputes
When working in a partnership it is inevitable that some disagreement and conflict will arise. Make sure there is a process to air issues and find a mutually acceptable solution. Make sure you agree on this before you apply for funding. Some common dispute resolution techniques include using an outside mediator, raising a vote among partners, or allowing the lead partner to have the final say.
Sign an MoU
While the donor grant agreement outlines the responsibilities of the partners, often details regarding the partnership among NGOs is left out. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will make clear which partner will do what and how much budget they will have. A good MoU signed by all partners outlines the basic agreements between them, which will avoid confusion and conflict.
Once the project starts
Meet partners often
Organize regular meetings in person or by phone to discuss issues and progress. Why not schedule a weekly short partnership call so everyone is fully informed and up to speed? This will help resolve issues before they become big as well as strengthen the bond between partners.
Be willing to make changes
When implementing a program, changes often have to be made to project activities and the budget. Don’t be afraid to discuss these changes amongst partners and to allocate extra budget to a partner for these activities if needed. Most donors will allow modest changes without prior approval, although large changes often need to be approved.
Report jointly to the donor
All partners should be involved in reporting to the donor. This allows for a comprehensive report that showcases each NGO’s contribution. Donors love to see the impact from effective partnerships, and by reporting on success you can boost the reputation of all partners.
Engage with donors as a group
If the donor wants to meet or visit the program site make sure all partners are involved. This will deepen the relationships between partners and the donor which may result in continued funding.
At the end of the project
Thank the donor and each other
Once the program has been completed the lead partner should thank the donor on behalf of all the partners. Consider organizing a final meeting to celebrate success and strengthen the bond between partners. Invite the donor to that meeting if possible. This will allow partners to propose continued funding.
Don’t stop collaborating
The end of donor funding does not mean the end of collaboration and partnership. There will be many other opportunities to work together. Maintain the relationship between partners and set the stage for future success.
The author Erik Detiger is the Managing Director of FundsforNGOs. Erik brings his two decades of experience working in the field of international philanthropy and fundraising to FundsforNGOs. He has worked with the United Nations, INGOs and grass-roots organizations in Europe, Thailand, Nepal, Tanzania, India, and the United States. Well versed in project management and fundraising, Erik has led development projects in health, education, humanitarian relief and human rights, raising well over $150 million from a wide variety of government agencies, foundations, and institutions
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has requested involvement of CSOs in the development of the full Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (IPRSP) which will be developed for the period 2017 – 2018.
It’s been two years since NANGO together with seven other organisations formed a united non-state actor body called Non State Actors Apex Alliance (NSAA). This alliance is fundamental in lobbying and engaging with one voice in order to achieve positive development outcomes for the citizenry. NSAA comprises of National Association of Youth Organisations (NAYO), Women Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ), Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children (ZNCWC), Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) and National Association of Societies for the Care of Handicapped (NASCOH).
NSAA influenced national processes through mobilisation and facilitating non-state actors to effectively participate and engage in the processes. This saw an increase in the number of non-state actors participating in national policies that reflect and address the needs of the people. Through this the government has provided further a window for participation and involvement of NSAA in the development of the full PRSP, which is going to be developed over the two-year period 2017-2018. The IPRSP mainstreamed a number of issues from the non-state actors including input from women, youth, children, people with disability and business sectors. Non-state actors are now oriented to influence national development processes in a collaborative and harmonised manner.
NSAA was accorded an opportunity to influence the development of the IPRSP which was being developed by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The government put in place an IPRSP inter-ministerial committee to develop the IPRSP and NSAA was co-opted into this committee which facilitated the development of the poverty reduction strategy for the period April to July 2016. The government recognised the role that CSOs should play in development of national policy by coopting NSAA in the committee. Government reflected its appreciation of CSOs through inclusion in this rigorous process. In total there were 592 participants representing the CSOs who took part in the consultative process of the IPRSP at the national, provincial and district levels. These translate to a 51.2% representation of CSOs. At provincial level CSO participation was high. In Harare 187 organisations participated, 132 in Manicaland, 117 in Bulawayo, 69 in Midlands and Masvingo had the least organisations at 18. At district level 20 CSOs from Nkayi participated, 19 from Umzingwane, 16 from Centenary and Mudzi had 14. The participation of CSOs at district levels was low and this can be explained by the low representation of CSOs at that level. As such, development of the full IPRSP is in the works.
The Non State Actors Coordination and Capacity Strengthening Programme developed capabilities of non-state actors to participate in policy dialogue and contributed immensely to the development of national policies in Zimbabwe. The Non State Actors Coordination and Capacity Strengthening Programme has resulted in strengthening coordination of non-state actors to influence national development processes. The capacity of Non State Actors to effectively influence national processes was strengthened through national, provincial and district level capacity enhancing programmes in areas such as results based management, monitoring and evaluation, corporate governance, policy advocacy, lobby and research and understanding government. This enhanced knowledge and understanding of non-state actors to participate and engage government, in a more effective manner. The project initiated policy dialogue platforms, which allowed non-state actors to engage various policy makers and push for their agenda informed by research, which the project had carried out during the course of the year. Some of the policies the project influenced, include the IPRSP, National Peace Reconciliation Bill, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Aligning the Disabled Persons Act [Ch.17:01] to the New Constitution of Zimbabwe.
The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare said Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) are not obligated to pay for Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with any local authority. This was said by the Director for Social Welfare, Retired Major Thuso Maphala, at a meeting held with National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations to discuss the state of NGOs in Zimbabwe.
NANGO Director, Leonard Mandishara, expressed how the work of NGOs in Zimbabwe is being curbed by shrinking operating space, constrictive regulations, restrictive legislation and delays in PVO registration processes.
Mandishara also informed Rtd. Major Maphala that members have different annual financial cycles and internal processes that may make it impossible to submit 2017 audited statements and annual reports by the deadline, 31 March 2018. He further requested the ministry to waiver this for those members who may not be able to meet the cut-off date.
He further indicated that there is a growing number of NGOs that want to register as PVOs but past experiences show that the process is lengthy and leads many to register as trusts. Lastly Mandishara encouraged the ministry to engage NGOs.
Rtd. Major Maphala appreciated the initiative by NANGO to engage and seek to find common ground and agreed that there is need to strengthen relations between NGOs and the parent ministry. On constrictive regulations of NGOs around the country, Rtd. Major Maphala stressed that PVOs are not obligated to sign or pay for MOUs with any local authority. He added that the ministry was in the process of investigating cases that were reported at the December 2017 PVO board meeting.
Rtd. Major Maphala indicated that as the parent ministry of PVOs, they would like to continue engaging and gathering evidence on where and when PVOs were barred from executing their mandates. With regards to delays in PVO registration, the minister asserted that the PVO board will be sitting four times a year to review the applications that would have been received. He added that, social welfare officers right up to district level have been trained on how to assist stakeholders and ensuring that applications sent to the PVO board have all the required information. This is anticipated to ease the backlog and expedite the registration of PVOs.
To the relief of many, Rtd. Major Maphala appreciated the initiative by NANGO to engage before the lapse of the deadline and agreed to waiver the regulation on condition that NANGO submits a list of its members and the different challenges they may be facing in terms of meeting the 31 March deadline.
An estimated of 280 million children are living in both monetary and non-monetary poverty across the world, more than half of which are in Africa. In Zimbabwe, estimates show that of the 6.3 million children, 78% live in consumption poverty and 26% live in extreme. A recent Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (MODA) (2016) estimates that 72% of the all children experienced at least one deprivation, whilst 57% of children experienced at least two deprivations.
Three stakeholders concurred that transparency is key in budget processes. This will in turn ensure participation which leads to poverty reduction.
Nyamadzawo from UNICEF noted that child poverty as one of the key developmental challenges confronting the world.
He highlighted that “It is important to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to end child poverty – current and future – through domestic resources. The capacity of governments to mobilize domestic resources – mainly through taxation – and spend them effectively and efficiently at national and sub national levels will therefore determine their success in addressing child poverty”.
While giving his presentation on supporting open budgeting in Zimbabwe, Nyamadzawo also acknowledged the efforts done by NANGO and IBP in further strengthening the capacity of Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) towards enhancing budgeting processes. He also said the meeting should deliver a strategy not only to carry the mandate of the government but of the people of Zimbabwe. Nyamadzawo added that there is need for a road map that can lead to a more open, transparent, accountable and participatory budgeting process delivering real results for the people and children of Zimbabwe.
IBP budget expert, David Robbins, said he believes that it’s natural for the public and government to engage in the budget.
“After the entire budget is drafted it then becomes important to establish whether public money will be spent on the public. This strengthens the relationship between the government and its citizens, it is the heart of democratic services Therefore the budget becomes the bridge hence OBS seeks to test the strength of budgets as bridges”, he said.
Robbins emphasised that OBS measures transparency, oversight and public participation.
The vice chairperson of NANGO, Barbra Matsanga noted that the issues of budget transparency, accountability and stakeholder participation are crucial in promoting a democratic development state that is critical in addressing the social, economic and governance issues impacting positively to the generality of the people today.
“The attendance of key government departments at the meeting reflects the urgency and seriousness the government attaches to fiscal reforms that open up spaces for citizens to engage with the national budget and other processes the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development undertakes”, she said.
Economic development and poverty reduction can be effectively enhanced under an environment of good governance, characterized by, among other things, fiscal transparency and accountability. National budgets that are accountable, efficient, and transparent are crucial in the fight against poverty, inequality and fulfilment of child rights and progress towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Budget transparency leads to better-informed public debate about the design and results of fiscal policy, makes governments more accountable for budget implementation, and thereby strengthens credibility and public understanding of macroeconomic policies and choices. Greater transparency over revenue flows, including from natural resource and development partners is necessary to enhance accountability and to curb corruption. In a bid to improve on budget transparency and accountability, Zimbabwe has been participating in the Open Budget Survey for the previous years, including 2017 OBS.
From 27 February to 2 March NANGO hosted a meeting with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Auditor General’s office, Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis and Research Unit (ZEPARU) and UNICEF to identify opportunities and gaps to improve the country’s performance in the survey through unpacking the 2017 Open Budget Survey (OBS) country results.
Heads of Matabeleland CSOs attended the European Union (EU) Roadmap regional consultative meeting that was held at the Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo on 7 March 2017.
The meeting gave CSOs the opportunity to interact, critique and give recommendations to the EU ambassador and others.
British Ambassador, Catriona Laing, asked if Bulawayo CSOs see a window of opportunity with the new political dispensation.
In response the Christian Alliance director, Reverend Useni Sibanda said, “Yes there is a window of opportunity mostly because the government is desperate to gain legitimacy and foreign investment and this gives CSOs room to test genuineness.
However, he added that he does not see the government’s current attitude going beyond elections and advised the ambassadors not to release any money before certain conditions are met”.
Liberty Bhebhe, National Youth Development Trust director, added that “The new dispensation does give opportunities for engagement but these rest with chapter 12 commissions. Part of the major challenge is that the environment is still restrictive like we’ve heard that youth officers are not operational yet on the ground they are. What happened in November 2017 and after is that we had an openly militarised space and this led to an increase in the shutting of other spaces. For instance, the parliamentary portfolio committee is open but the media remains shut. There’s still a challenge of pretences although this government is more open for engagement with the international community”.
Like Sibanda, Bhebhe also expressed scepticism saying, “We stay weary of what could happen post elections”.
EU Ambassador, Philippe Van Damme responded to concerns about why EU does not directly channel funding towards Community Based Organisations (CBOs) by saying despite that EU has no calls targeting CBOs it does not mean they are shut out, instead they can still receive funding through consortiums.
He gave an example of the National Indicative Program whose implementation NANGO will soon be resuming in all regions.
Van Damme also said CBOs should not compete among themselves instead they should increase their capacities and be productive local partners that will strengthen the region.
Funding of CBOs was a contentious issue in EU Roadmap meetings held in Masvingo, Mutare and Gweru.
In all the regions’ discussions with EU it was also brought out that there is need for capacity building that is tailor-made for organisations in order to enhance sustainability and relevance of programs.
Van Damme was joined by British, French, Romanian, Swedish, Netherlands, Portuguese, Spanish and German ambassadors to Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe AIDS Network (ZAN) convened key populations with the objective of amplifying civil society voices around the need for domestic health funding, proposing strategies for effective key populations programming and discussing common approaches to advocate for increased key populations’ access to health services.
Tendai Mbengeranwa, the key populations coordinator for National Aids Council (NAC) highlighted some of the opportunities on which the key populations programme is built on. He said Zimbabwe has joined the rest of the world and committed to ending AIDS by 2030 and has also adopted the UNAIDS fast track Targets and Prevention Revitalisation Roadmap.
Mbengeranwa also applauded the Zimbabwe constitution whose section 76 speaks of the right to health for everyone without any form of discrimination. He also commended the national sex work programme currently being run by CeSHHAR at 36 sites.
“Some of the bold steps taken so far for female sex workers include having CeSHHAR offering both clinical and research services at 36 sites nationwide along high ways and hot spots,” he said.
By March 2017 Ceshhar had reached approximately 56000 female sex workers.
According to the NAC coordinator, the programme rides on a strong peer educators’ network. The educators are also members of associations & research components. Services offered include free STI treatment, HIV testing, family planning, mobilisation for prep and art, condoms both male and female, legal advice through partnerships with Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR). Other partners complimenting CeSHHAR include; SAfAIDS, Katswe, Hands of Hope. Most of these are mainly into advocacy and community mobilisation.
Female sex workers’ movement WAAD has been registered as a trust with support from ZLHR, and has just had their first planning meeting and has documented short and long term plans. Sex worker coalition have done a concept note to scale up martus. However, Mbengeranwa highlighted limited reporting to NAC, limited alternatives economic option for female sex workers, growing challenge of children selling sex, weak referral systems, weak monitoring and evaluation systems within partners and NAC and weak associations as some of the weaknesses of programming in Zimbabwe.
Disasters present traumatic experiences for children and they are one of the most vulnerable groups during and following a disaster. Children also constitute the majority of victims during disaster situations. Their coping ability also cannot be compared to adults because of their age. The experience of witnessing a disaster of any form still present a lot of psychological problems for children. Also the chaos and disruption of family and community life following natural disasters oftentimes creates a ripe environment for those who seek to exploit and abuse children. Moreover, the distress caused by the disaster itself presents key challenges to the psychosocial wellbeing of children, their care-givers and their families.
Zimbabwe has not been spared by the devastating effects of disasters especially hydrologic disasters the most common being floods. Floods in Zimbabwe have caused displacement of communities forcing them to be evacuated to new settlements or confined to holding camps for safety. During such experiences, children experience a number of challenges that need intervention from various stakeholders responsible during disaster response. For the past decade the country has experienced floods and hail storms across the country that have caused great damage, the most affected areas being Tsholotsho and Muzarabani. However, the 2016/17 rainy season saw the effects of Cyclone Dineo causing heavy precipitation in many areas namely Bulawayo, Tsholotsho, Matobo, Kezi, Umzingwane, Bulilima, Gokwe South and Mberengwa districts causing riverine and flash flooding and subsequent destruction of property and loss of human life in some areas. Many families were affected as some lost their properties.
It should be noted that when disasters strike, children and women seem to suffer most. Therefore, there are many child protection concerns that arise as a result of disasters and below are some of the challenges children face during and post-disaster phase;
Possible interventions or considerations to help and protect children in disaster situations
| Child protection programming in emergencies encompasses activities aimed at protecting children from and responding to violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect, and at strengthening children’s psychosocial wellbeing and development. Below are some interventions that are critical for children during disaster situations; |
Role of Childline Zimbabwe in Emergencies in partnership with government and other civic society organizations.
As child centred organization Childline Zimbabwe responds through various interventions that are meant to help the community cope with disaster effects. In helping the communities, children constitute the primary beneficiaries of the services offered by the organization. All help given should benefit the child and making sure the best interests of the child are upheld to the maximum level. Through funding from organizations like UNICEF, Childline implement various programmes during disaster and emergence situations and services offered include but not limited to;
Children in disaster situations have a right to be protected from all harmful acts. We are all responsible!!!
By Alfred Ncube, Training Officer Childline Zimbabwe
A sharp voice full of agony and resistance was heard screaming from the next room at the girl’s hostel. Her utterances could not be heard as they were engulfed in her weeping. The poor helpless girl’s scream faded out with time and a hoarse voice was head saying ‘After all you are my girlfriend’, that was the end of the long argument. Date rape is a situation where one is forced into having sexual intercourse with a partner he or she is dating.
MISA Zimbabwe joins the world in commemorating World Radio Day. This day is celebrated annually on the 13th of February and this year’s commemorations are being held under the theme: Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace.
This year’s theme acknowledges the role played by radio in facilitating dialogue and building tolerance through respectful sharing of divergent views, thus fostering peace within communities and nations.
The theme is indeed timeous for Zimbabwe as it coincides with the repeated calls for meaningful national dialogue to address the country’s deteriorating socio-economic and political environment in the wake of the disputed outcome of the 2018 presidential elections. Follow the link below for the complete statement
