The Bege Foundation organized a one-day organizational capacity building workshop In collaboration with the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN) aimed at strengthening the operational systems, policies, and documentation processes of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Plateau State.
The training focused on key areas including organizational capacity assessment, identifying needs and objectives, preparing for donor assessments, translating assessment into action, and ensuring policy effectiveness and compliance.
Speaking during the opening session, Mr. Kenneth Attah, Team Lead of the Bege Foundation, said the workshop was designed to help organizations build sustainable internal systems that would enhance their chances of securing donor funding.
“Today’s workshop is all about organizational capacity building,” Atta said. “Many organizations don’t get funding because of poor documentation and weak systems. This training will strengthen their capacity and help them understand due processes. I believe everyone here will return to their organizations better equipped to seek funding successfully.”
Mr. Godwin Okoko, the lead facilitator and a reknwon peacebuilder, explained that the idea behind the workshop emerged from observing how several Plateau-based NGOs struggle to access donor grants despite their active involvement in peacebuilding and development work.
“We noticed that although there are over a hundred NGOs working in peacebuilding across Plateau State, many still miss out on donor grants because they lack the necessary systems,” Okoko stated. “Donors don’t give grants to organizations without functional structures and effective policies. This training is to prepare them to be institutionally ready to meet donor expectations and comply with government regulations.”
He added that the capacity-building session was part of a broader effort to ensure that local organizations are not left behind as more development opportunities come to the state.
The Chairman of the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network, Mr. Nanmak D. Bali, described the capacity-building workshop as timely and a valuable partnership aimed at strengthening the network’s capacity. He noted that the initiative focuses on sharing knowledge and information that will contribute to the network’s overall growth, emphasizing that such collaboration embodies the true spirit of networking.
Speaking on the long-term impact, Mr. Bali explained that the training would greatly benefit peacebuilding NGOs in Plateau State, especially new and emerging organizations. According to him, the workshop will help these organizations build their internal capacity, improve office structures, and meet the necessary standards for funding opportunities, enabling them to access grants and uphold proper due diligence in their operations.
One of the participants, Ms. Longdi Alexander Yildet, Executive Director of ThinkSHE Aid Foundation, described the workshop as an eye-opener, especially for emerging organizations.
“It has really been a huge one for us,” Yildez said. “We’ve learned about the importance of having operational policies, proper documentation, and staff awareness of organizational procedures. As a young organization, this training showed us what we need to put in place before approaching donors.”
The workshop, which featured interactive sessions and practical guidance, ended with participants expressing optimism about improving their institutional frameworks to enhance their credibility and access to future funding opportunities.
