Advocacy and Networking Training
for local NGOs of Northwest Bangladesh
 
The RDRS North Bengal Institute (NBI) recently completed a survey to map the capacity of local NGOs' in northwest Bangladesh. The objective of increasing NGO staff capacity has now been followed by arranged training organised by NBI for local NGOs on concepts and practical tools and techniques of Advocacy and Networking.

Around one hundred local NGOs now operate in north-west Bangladesh in addition to the branches of national NGOs. These NGOs implement various sectoral programmes such as Micro-finance but also in Health, Water and Sanitation, Primary Education, Social Awareness Building, Prevention of Woman and Child Trafficking, Disaster Preparedness and Management, Roadside Tree Plantation. However, most function irregularly, mainly due to uncertain funding, and possess limited organisational capacity

The Capacity Mapping exercises indicated potential for more effective NGO involvement which could contribute to broader development efforts in the region. They need to exposure to new development concepts and practical training to develop management and techniques for work in various development and human rights' issues which may require some subsequent follow-up with financial support.
As a first step toward mobilising this underused civil society capacity, RDRS launched capacity building training on Advocacy and Networking for local NGOs. The first batch of this new training was conducted between 25-28 May 2004 at Lalmonirhat for east zone NGOs, and the second between 4-7 July at Thakurgaon for west zone NGOs. A total of 43 participated (of which 54% were FNB members).

From this training, participants acquired knowledge and understanding on progressive transformation of their organisational interventions from needs-based to right-based approaches. The NGOs gained practical insights into new development approaches and how to apply this in their work, which may enable them to engage more effectively in local advocacy as well as in service delivery. RDRS envisages further such training to follow-up this grounding and will consider ways to partner such NGOs, as well as the CBOs known as Federations in future.

The RDRS Director (Social Empowerment) Imrul Kayes Muniruzzaman facilitated the training in association with RDRS Senior Trainer Korban Ali.
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