Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled

Flagship Program 1: SA-CIBIS

SOUTHERN AFRICA CAPACITY AND INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING STRATEGY (SA-CIBIS)

Over the years we have witnessed a trend of deteriorating capacities of non-profit organizations in the region and all over the world mainly due to the dwindling donor cash-flows affected by the general economic down-turn in the     West. The trend has not spared DPOs or the disability sector. This has resulted in several of the national affiliates of OPDs facing challenges in terms of leadership, governance and diminished general institutional capacity to manage various disability programs. In this regard SAFOD implements a capacity development and strengthening programme that focuses on addressing the critical capacity gaps, identified through continuous capacity assessments for OPDs. The programme is delivered through trainings on different thematic areas such as governance and leadership, policy formulation and analysis and resource mobilization to improve effective program implementation and sustainability.

Priority Actions

1. Increase the capacity of the national federations to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability in promoting and securing implementation of policies and legislation that promote human rights for persons with disabilities.

2. Review and update the OPDs capacity development strategy.

3. Organize training workshops, especially in critical areas including resource mobilization, advocacy and communication, strategic information management – monitoring and evaluation skills, and governance and leadership.

4. Establish and operationalize a mentorship programme.

Given the complexity of training needs SAFOD will partner with other specialized organizations such as Universities, UN Volunteer platform to devise innovative strategies for training and mentorship.