In May 2022 the Open Society Institute (OSI) and the Soros foundations network announced that over the next four years, they would become more global in scope in an effort to influence how governments and international institutions conduct themselves.
OSI also expressed hope that their new strategy would respond to changing circumstances in the regions and areas where the Institute and the Soros Foundations network had been traditionally active.
“In many of these countries, the moment of revolutionary change has passed, and some countries are in the process of making the transition to open societies. OSI will sustain its programs in a number of post-communist countries where the need for our work remains great and will maintain or increase its role in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Considering the new approach, the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), whose mission is to strengthen the institutional and operational capacities of Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) in West Africa, brought and trained about 31 CSO leaders.
“But before it finally reaches its new destination, Open Society Foundation wants to ensure its partners are more resilient and sustainable. The organisation is investing in building the capacities of its partners to effectively mobilise resources for their work,” said the organisers of the five-day training in Accra, Ghana.
“#WACSI commenced a five-day training in resource mobilisation and organisational sustainability for 31 leaders, including Executive and Programme Directors, from 31 #OSF partner organisations across Anglophone #West #Africa.
“We’re delighted for the opportunity to support OSF in strengthening the operational capacities of these organisations”.
Coordinator of NACE Sierra Leone, Cecilia Mattia, whose work has been recognised over the years, was one of the CSO leaders participating in the capacity-building engagement. NACE Sierra Leone is a long-time grantee of the then Open Society Initiative for West Africa and OSF.
“The training has been insightful so far. We are learning and sharing ideas on project sustainability mechanisms and how to build on our existing approach to explore alternative sources through advocacy-specific projects. I am excited to see what the end of the training can bring in the transitioning phase of our partnerships,” she said.
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