US Trains 215 CSOs, BMOs, Supports Over 1,000 Organisations In Policy Reforms

By Bukar BOLORI

Over the past four years, the United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has improved the organisational and advocacy capacities of local civil society organisations (CSOs) and business membership organisations (BMOs) in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

USAID, through the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) activity in Nigeria, trained 215 CSOs and BMOs and supported more than 1,000 organisations to drive policy reforms addressing development challenges: poverty, education, healthcare, corruption, service delivery, citizen participation in governance, and gender equality.

At the SCALE closeout event on Wednesday, USAID Nigeria Peace, Democracy and Governance Office Director, Angela Martin said: “USAID remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s journey towards a more inclusive and democratic society.”

USAID supported its CSO partners through training, mentoring, and coaching, enhancing their sustainability.

This support led to over $8.4 million in grants won by SCALE partners from donor agencies, improving their resource diversification.

Launched in October 2020 and implemented by Palladium, the SCALE activity achieved more than 81 policy actions across sectors at federal, state, and local levels.

Other achievements include: Support for a nationwide CSO self-regulation consultation, resulting in a CSO self-regulation council.

This initiative identified six regulatory frameworks, addressing issues of corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing.

Over 400 organizations have adopted these frameworks; Integration of perspectives from women, youth, and people with disabilities into civic space dialogues with the government; Engagement with security agencies, traditional, religious, and community leaders to address trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, and child marriage.

The project supported local efforts to identify and report cases, leading to 28 investigated trafficking cases; and launch of four postgraduate programmes on organisational development and advocacy at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

According to a statement, the SCALE activity’s achievements aim to guide future initiatives for strengthening civil society and development in Nigeria.