African NSOs empowered for strategic partnerships and resource mobilisation

As we emerge from the scathing effects of COVID-19 and with the increased unprecedented global challenges, Scouting in Africa finds itself in a far more competitive environment within which it must secure the required resources for the growth and sustainability of Scouting in the Region. 

It is for this reason that 17 participants from 16 National Scout Organizations (NSOs) met in Nairobi in November for a five-day Regional Workshop on Partnership and Resource Mobilization. The diverse profiles of the participants included National Executive Commissioners, Finance Commissioners, Fundraising/Resource Mobilisation Commissioners, Grant Managers, Project Managers and Public Relations Executives among others. The workshop’s aim was to enable them acquire knowledge, critical skills knowledge, and enhanced capacity to actively support their NSOs/NSAs to tap into and mobilising necessary resources to deliver Scouting programmes.

The Regional Director, Frederic Kama-Kama in his opening remarks emphasised that:

At this workshop, the NSO leaders deepened their technical expertise in resource mobilisation to ensure recovery and sustainability post-COVID. They also acquired skills for conceptualising, designing, implementing, and evaluating an efficient resource mobilisation strategy. The training further provided an opportunity to acquire new contacts, build networks and share experiences with other NSOs. This led to the creation of a regional Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation Network to promote continuous learning, collaboration, coaching and peer support through sharing of case studies and best practices. This was a achieved through a blend of expert presentations, topical discussions, peer learning and sharing best practices as well as practical working sessions.

Aby Sane, International Commissioner of the Confédération Sénégalaise du Scoutisme remarked that,

As a follow-up, the NSOs will receive tailored support through WOSM Services to develop and implement national partnerships and resource mobilization strategies. This support will help the NSOs facilitate opportunities for engagement and partnerships at a national and community level, as well as guidance and best practices for establishing and managing partnerships and mobilising the much-needed resources to support and grow Scouting. To learn mor about the External Relations service are, visit https://services.scout.org/service/12.

The Regional Workshop on Partnership and Resource Mobilization was made possible with support from Alwaleed Philanthropies, a key partner in Scouts for SDGs, an initiative in which Scouts are making the world’s largest coordinated youth contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.