PARTNER WITH SAFOD
Partner with SAFOD: working together for disability rights in Southern Africa
Partner with SAFOD to advance disability rights across Southern Africa. SAFOD works in all 16 SADC Member States through 16 national affiliates, led by persons with disabilities.
SAFOD wants to continue implementing its unique programmes in communities that focus on bringing about positive change in the lives of marginalised persons with disabilities in Southern Africa. Find out how you can join hands with us to achieve our shared goals.
Why partner with SAFOD
Across Southern Africa, millions of persons with disabilities face barriers to education, health care, economic opportunity, and legal protection. SAFOD works to change that. We do this through our national affiliate federations, which are led by persons with disabilities themselves.
- Founded in 1986, with a track record across the region.
- Active in all 16 SADC Member States.
- Led by persons with disabilities.
- Backed by partners such as FFO, CBM, and ATscale.
No single organisation can achieve this alone. Partnership is at the heart of how SAFOD works. See our programmes and campaigns to find where you can help.
Who we work with
You can partner with SAFOD as a government body, funder, university, business, or media group. Click on any partner type below to learn more.
Governments help SAFOD influence laws and policies that protect the rights of persons with disabilities. At the regional level, SAFOD engages the SADC Secretariat to push for a dedicated disability desk and the adoption of a Regional Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. At the national level, SAFOD works with ministries and public agencies to mainstream disability across sectors such as education, health, and social protection.
Donors make SAFOD's work possible. Long-standing donors such as FFO Norway have supported core programmes over many years. Foundations and grant-making bodies can fund specific projects, research, or capacity-building work with SAFOD's national affiliates. Individuals can also donate to SAFOD.
Civil society organisations share SAFOD's commitment to inclusion. Joint proposals, shared advocacy platforms, and regional campaigns all become stronger when civil society works together. SAFOD has built coalitions with organisations working in early childhood development, disaster risk reduction, and sexual and reproductive health. See our regional all-partners meeting on disaster risk reduction.
Research institutions help generate the evidence that drives SAFOD's advocacy. Loughborough University and the University of Washington are among the institutions SAFOD has engaged. Researchers and universities can partner with SAFOD to study disability inclusion across Southern Africa and produce findings that inform policy. Browse our publications for recent research.
Businesses can support SAFOD's work through funding, in-kind support, or by embedding disability inclusion in their own operations. SAFOD can help private sector partners understand and apply inclusive practices across their supply chains, workforces, and customer-facing services. Learn about our consultancy services.
Media partners help amplify the voices of persons with disabilities. SAFOD has engaged broadcasters and online platforms to raise public awareness of disability rights. Media organisations can collaborate on campaigns, content production, and coverage of key regional events.
Digital tools open new doors for persons with disabilities. SAFOD has worked with partners such as G3ict to advance digital inclusion across the region. Technology companies can partner with SAFOD to develop accessible products, fund digital skills training, and support online advocacy by young persons with disabilities. See our assistive technology campaign.
What we can do together
- Run regional advocacy campaigns calling on SADC governments to adopt disability-inclusive policies.
- Design and deliver community projects that reach persons with disabilities across multiple countries.
- Build the capacity of national disability organisations to raise funds and run effective programmes.
- Conduct research and produce knowledge products — guidelines, meta-analyses, and policy briefs.
- Train government officials, service providers, and community leaders on disability inclusion.
- Empower young persons with disabilities to use digital tools to advocate for their rights.
- Support women with disabilities to access economic opportunities and social services.
- Strengthen disaster preparedness responses to protect persons with disabilities.
How to get in touch to partner with SAFOD
Click the button to send us a partnership enquiry. Tell us about your organisation and the kind of work you are interested in. A member of the SAFOD team will follow up with you.
