- Basic Info
- Contact
- Work & Expertise
- Current Commitment
- Past Commitment
- Resource
Basic Information
Organization Name:
West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)Organization Regions:
- Africa
- Global
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Organization Country Location:
Ghana -
Organization City/Locality:
Accra
Organization mission and work description:
WACSI's aim to reinforce the capacities of civil society in the sub-region. Since the institute became operational in 2007, it has responded significantly to the prevailing dearth of skills and capacity within civil society in West Africa through a three-pronged intervention strategy: Capacity Development; Knowledge Management; and Policy Influencing and Advocacy. The instituteās mission is to āstrengthen civil society in West Africa to be responsive, collaborative, representative, resilient and influential through knowledge sharing, learning, connecting and influencingā. WACSI envisions a peaceful and prosperous West Africa where development is driven by its people. It serves as a thought leader, resource hub and capacity strengthening institution for civil society organisations across West Africa in addition to Mauritania, Chad and Cameroon. WACSI works primarily with civil society organisations and actors, and relevant development partners from both public and private sectors. Through its interventions, WACSI capacitates, connects and convenes as well as curates knowledge to facilitate learning within and among civil society and development partners. The instituteās influential role among government, and intergovernmental agencies and development partners makes it a strong voice for civil society.
Organization's Contacts
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Primary Contact Name:
Omolara Balogun -
Primary Contact Title:
Head, Policy Influencing and Advocacy, WACSI
Additional Contacts Names:
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Additional representative #1:
John Frinjuah -
Additional representative #2:
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Additional representative #3:
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Additional representative #4:
OUR INTERNATIONAL COALITION IS MADE UP OF MORE THAN 400 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
Learn about TAP Members & Partners
WHO ARE TAP'S MEMBERS?Organization's Work & Expertise
Organization's SGD16 Expertise:
- 16.3 - Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
- 16.5 - Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
- 16.6 - Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
- 16.7 - Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels
- 16.8 - Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance
- 16.a - Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime
- 16.b - Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development
Organization's Areas of Expertise:
- Global/UN Engagement & Advocacy
- Accountability for the 2030 Agenda
- Policy Analysis & Advocacy
- SDG Data and Indicators
- Public mobilization & Campaigns
- Gender Equality
- Children & Youth
- Capacity building/CSO training & education
Current Commitment to SDG16+
Summary of commitment:
WACSI seeks to strengthen civil society capacity, effectiveness and performance by enhancing their legitimacy, transparency and accountability through tailor-made training, mentoring and coaching programmes, and though policy influencing and engagement opportunities.
Organization's priorities and work in relation to commitment:
Our theory of change is that if civil society is strengthened to become responsive, collaborative, representative, resilient and influential then it will be a powerful driver of the transformation of West Africa into a peaceful region where development is driven by its people. Equally important will be accountable and responsive governments, strong institutions both within and outside government, a conducive global environment and a job creating private sector. Our focus, however, as WACSI, is strengthening civil society to be a strong driver of change within the region and enable it to better engage with governments, the private sector and other actors.
Organization's work related to TAP network's SGD16+ work & accountability for 2030 Agenda:
In achieving Goal 16, our theory of change is that if civil society is strengthened to become responsive, collaborative, representative, and influential then it will be an active participant in localising the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and vibrant advocates in holding government accountable to prioritising all 10 ten targets under Goal 16. WACSI is committed to creating between 3-5 capacity strengthening opportunities for different crops of civil society to enhance their legitimacy, accountable, responsive and technical capacities requisite to implementing goal 16 specifically, targets 5, 6, 7, 8 10a and 10b. Intensify its advocacy on open societies and enabling environment for civil societyās operations at regional and national through commissioning and production of useful data in disenabling environment, as well as documenting and speaking against governmentās actions and/or practises that aim to stifle civil society operations or threatens the liberty of the sector to thrive in pursuit of SDGs or impede its intervention on Goal 16 Create and facilitate at least one platform per quarter (4 platforms per years) to convene and connect different of CSOs including organised institutions and organic movements to jointly discuss, debate and build consensus around strategies to accelerate the implementation of Goal 16, targets 5, 6, 7, 8 10a and 10b in West Africa. Build capacity of more than 100 civil society actors in policy analysis and advocacy strategy development and implementation from at least 6 countries in West Africa, with the expectation to empower civil society to set public agenda, amplify civic voices (especially that of women and youth), promote civic organising and hold governments on campaign promises (or manifestos) through existing state structures Create learning and resource mobilisation opportunities for civil society organisations to get creative and innovative in its effort to drive the implementation of agenda 2030 and ensure that no one is left behind.
Plan on engaging in TAP's work as a Partner:
- Regional Engagement Platforms and/or Regional Focal Point
- Thematic Working Groups
- Interest in leadership/coordination opportunities within the TAP Network
- Exploring partnerships with like-minded organizations
- Global engagement via the UN and other opportunities
- TAP Network joint global advocacy
- Exploring opportunities for hosting TAP Network national or regional-level capacity building activities