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Civil society in Uganda : at the crossroads?

DEVELOPMENT NETWORK OF INDIGENOUS VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS (DENIVA)
June 2006

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This report provides useful and relevant knowledge on the state of civil society and increases the capacity and commitment of civil society stakeholders to strengthen Ugandan civil society, by mapping the structure, environment, values and impact of the NGO Sector in Uganda. It is also intended to contribute towards improving the quality of these structures, and of credibility and policy advocacy activities for a vibrant, active and independent civil society that will command respect among other stakeholders in development and governance activities in Uganda. The study was part of an international initiative, the Civil Society Index (CSI) project, coordinated by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation

How to build a good small NGO

ALIN, Fadumo
et al
2006

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A user-friendly and practical guide on how to build and run a small non-governmental organisation (NGO). This manual aims to build good practice into NGOs, and to help recognise, address and solve a range of problems. The manual covers all key aspects of running a small organisation, including identifying mission and purpose, planning, getting legal status, building sustainability, monitoring and evaluation, financial management and fundraising. Each section includes exercises and useful examples. This publication is intended for those starting an NGO and also for small organisations seeking to improve their performance and effectiveness

Organisational governance

BLACKMAN, Rachel
2006

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This resource is aimed primarily at Christian development organisations, but the principles and operational structures can be applied to other organisations. It focuses on organisational governance, the process of overseeing an organisation, looking in particular at how governing bodies should operate and lead an organisation. Section 1 analyses the role of the board and explains how its remit and responsibilities differ from those of the CEO. Section 2 reviews two key competencies, delegating authority and responsibility and developing policies. Section 3 looks at the main responsibilities of the board, including recruiting and supporting of the CEO; identifying mission, vision and values of the organisation; strategic planning; fulfilling legal requirements; identifying funding sources; and assessing progress. Section 4 looks in some detail at key operational aspects such as roles of board members, recruitment of new members and internal board policies. Section 5 suggests ways of making the board more effective, through the proper use of committees, agenda for meetings, chairing of board meetings, minute taking, sharing information, decision-making and board development

Knowledge management and organisational learning development : KM4Dev workshop background paper

PASTEUR, Kath
PETTIT, Jethro
SCHAGEN, Boudy van
2006

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This paper presents an overview of the theory and practice of knowledge management and organisational learning and their application to development. It suggests that a new generation of ideas on this theme is emerging, where values are made explicit and reflected upon, and learning processes are 'more client oriented, demand led, and requiring concerted effort to engagement on level platforms. In addition it implies mutual engagement in a systemic whole, reaching beyond organisational boundaries'

Investing in information for development module

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2006

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This module of the FAO's IMARK toolkit addresses the needs of managers to build their skills and awareness around managing information in their organisation. It aims to help managers develop and implement strategies, policies, structures and procedures for effective management of information. The module reviews current trends in access to and dissemination of information, and how new technologies (ICTs) affect and enhance information activities in organisations

The challenge of capacity development, working towards good practice

ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD)
January 2006

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This OECD report “draws on four decades of documented experience provided by both bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as academic specialists, to help policy makers and practitioners think through effective approaches to capacity development and what challenges remain in the drive to boost country capacity. The analysis is underpinned by a conceptual framework which guides practitioners to view capacity development at three interrelated levels: individual, organisational and the enabling environment. It provides insights into what capacity development is, why it matters and, more importantly, what can be done to support it”

 

Note: Powerpoint slides are also available at: http://www.oecd.org/env/outreach/40695940.pdf 

Coaching and mentoring for leadership development in civil society

DEANS, Fran
et al
January 2006

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This paper discusses how coaching and mentoring practices are increasingly used as tools within the civil society sector. This is in line with the trend towards ongoing capacity-building processes rather than one-off events, informed by an increasingly people-centred and ‘holistic’ approach to capacity building. The paper examines a range of practitioners’ experiences of using mentoring and coaching with leaders of CSOs in a range of contexts, including Kenya, Tanzania, Kazakhstan, Uganda, Bosnia, South Africa, Malawi and the UK

 

Praxis Paper series No. 4

Capacity building at the grassroots : piloting organisational development of community-based organisations in South Africa

YACHKASCHI, Schirin
December 2005

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"This paper explores the use of organisational development (OD) for capacity building of community-based organisations (CBOs) in South Africa. The author works for Community Connections, a South African non-profit support organisation which predominantly provides support to CBOs and community workers. In 2004, the organisation initiated an OD pilot programme, which has been accompanied by research for a doctoral thesis from this year. The aims of the pilot programme and the research are to examine in what ways OD facilitation can support the capacity building of CBOs, and hence contribute to community development and civil society strengthening. This paper presents initial reflections"

Praxis Note No. 18

CBO/FBO capacity analysis : a tool for assessing and building capacities for high quality responses to HIV/AIDS

CORE INIATIVE
November 2005

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This publication was developed by the CORE Initiative to enable community and faith based organisations to analyse levels of capacity in different areas of organisational and technical work. It is based on an existing toolkit for NGOs developed by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the NGO Capacity Analysis Toolkit) and on a design developed by Geoff Foster, of Family AIDS Caring Trust in Zimbabwe. This tool can be used with community organisations to identify capacity-building needs, plan any technical support needed by the organisation and monitor and evaluate the impact of capacity-building support

Manual for capacity development : methods document

SCHULZ, Karin
GUSTAFSSON, Ingemar
ILLES, Erik
October 2005

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This manual is a tool to assist with the initial analysis and then the choice of method and procedure in capacity development projects. It provides definitions and concepts, approaches and principles, and sets up a framework for the analysis and describes Sida’s various methods and ways of working

Building effective States : forging engaged societies

WORLD BANK
September 2005

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"This report of the Task Force on Capacity Development in Africa analyzes four decades of capacity development experience in Africa and offers key messages for African countries and their international partners that should underpin a renewed effort to develop, use, and retain capacity for development in Sub Saharan Africa. It also presents specific recommendations of how the World Bank, as a leading development agency in the region, should step up its analytical, financial, and operational contribution to capacity development as part of a coordinated international effort under the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. This paper contains the following chapters: why capacity development - and why now; governance matters for sustained capacity development; the new paradigm for capacity development; from shared vision to implementation platform - renewing the compact; and updating the World Bank's approach to capacity development in Africa - business unusual. The paper includes five annexes that cover the consultations, the literature review, and the country and portfolio evidence collected by the Task Force. It also includes a note on the World Bank Institute's capacity development activities in Africa"

Report number 37709

Capacity-building of disabled people's organizations in Mozambique

NCUBE, Jabulani M
May 2005

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This research looks at the relations between disabled people's organisations (DPO) in Mozambique and the Northern NGOs which fund them. It compares the DPOs' definitions of capacity-building and expectations from donors with the actual approaches of Northern NGOs. The research highlights problems but does not make recommendations to improve the situation

Rising to the challenges : assessing the impacts of organisational capacity building

HAILEY, John
JAMES, Rick
WRIGLEY, Rebecca
February 2005

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This paper “offers a brief overview of current thinking and practice in relation to the impact assessment of organisational capacity building interventions. The paper highlights some of the conceptual, methodological and practical challenges (issues of clarity, power and culture, among others) and then goes on to provide an overview of some of the practical approaches that have been adopted by NGOs and CSOs to overcome these challenges.   A ‘thought piece’ designed to engage practitioners (particularly those from developing and transitional countries) in a fruitful debate, it identifies the key challenges towards which INTRAC could most usefully focus its future efforts. These include the need to improve understanding of the particular characteristics of the impact assessment of organisational capacity building and to generate and document innovative, adaptable and accessible approaches. A final challenge is to consider how to raise the profile of impact assessment for organisational capacity building practitioners, so that it is viewed as a vital tool to assist organisational learning, rather than a time-consuming and costly burden”

Praxis Paper n°2

A tool for sharing internal best practices

D'ADAMO, Margaret
KOLS, Adrienne
Eds
2005

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This publication is aimed at organisations willing to develop and implement effective mechanisms for strengthening organisational learning and sharing good practices internally. Includes a step-by-step process to help identify success stories, validate and document best practices, develop a strategic plan and adapt and apply best practices. It also presents three case studies of organisations that have attempted to share best practices, highlighting lessons learnt, problems encountered, and achievements. Includes a list of useful resources

Knowledge sharing toolkit : an evolving collection of practical knowledge sharing techniques

FAUL, Mark
CAMACHO, Kemly
December 2004

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This draft toolkit includes descriptions of four knowledge sharing techniques, and may soon expand to include more. The techniques described are after action reviews, retrospects, peer assists, and online communities. A brief section is devoted to each, including a short description of the technique, the benefits, a step-by-step guide to applying it, tips and cautions, a brief example, and some further resources

NGO capacity analysis : a toolkit for assessing and building capacities for high quality responses to HIV/AIDS

International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Ed
July 2004

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This toolkit can be used to identify the capacity building needs of NGOs, plan technical support interventions and monitor and evaluate the impact of capacity building. The toolkit is aimed at people and organisations that support NGOs and CBOs responding to HIV/AIDS in developing countries. Including NGO support programmes, training institutions and individual trainers

Disability issues in East Asia : review and ways forward

TAKAMINE, Yutaka
May 2004

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This paper provides "the World Bank’s East Asia and Pacific region with information and insights necessary for improving a focus on disability in its activities. There are two major parts to this paper. The first part reviews disability related issues in the region by describing (1) the prevalence of disability and related issues; (2) major issues and challenges confronting persons with disabilities; and (3) good practices, innovative approaches, and effective organizations in the region working to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. The second part reviews the Bank’s regional level activities through examining project portfolios and AAA products, as well as through interviews with Sector managers and staff members. Based on this review, the paper recommends ways to include disability issues at the regional and sector levels"

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