Civil Society Resource Centre

1. Civil Society Resource Centre A Project of the UNDP www.ghanacivilsociety.org

2. Evans Gyampohevans.gyampoh@undp.org024-314-3502 Civil Society Resource Centre Blk A, Rm A, UN Flats (Behind Fire Service Hq, within the same yard as UNFPA) Ring Road East Accra

3. Nine Consultations already undertaken in 9 Regions • ASHANTI-ASHANGO • BA-BANGO • UW-NGND • UE-NGND • NR-NGND • WESTERN-WERENGO • CENTRAL-ANCER • VOLTA & K’DUA-VORANGO

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

5. ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE • ENGENDER PARTICIPATION • OWNERSHIP VERY KEY TO ENSURE SUCCESS!!

6. 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). • 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

7. Role of the UN • 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 • Capacity building – partnership – Poverty Reduction/Good Governance

8. 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 promote and develop coordinated research into civil society issues • 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

9. 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

10. Information Resources • Conducted an Information Needs Assessment to identify CSO information needs • This will inform us on the way to go

11. Features of the Information Centre • Virtual: www.ghanacivilsociety.org • Link to other Virtual resource centres • Newsletters • Books on: NGO management, management of donor funds, project management, HRD, facilitation skills, advocacy, project proposals and report writing, etc • Journals • Other Publications • 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

12. Provision for Persons With Disability • 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 • Located on the ground floor of the CSO Resource Centre

13. 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

14. 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.

15. Unique Features • 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

16. Partnership with the Networks • The Networks are going to be our major partners • Resource/equip them to play expected roles • They will screen applications • They will monitor the activities of the beneficiary CSOs and report to Centre • They will identify Resource Persons in the Regions

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

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

19. How You Can Access? • Be a registered and duly recognised NGO • 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

20. Next Steps • 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