8am -9am EDT, 3pm-4pm EAT

“Capacity development” of local civil society organizations (CSOs) in sub-Saharan Africa has become a key strategy among prominent international donors and international intermediary organizations. This raises critical questions about who has power in charting and supporting a CSO’s path to strengthened capacity – and what roles different actors can or should play in advancing the organizational vitality of the African CSO sector.

We invite you to join a conversation, co-sponsored by the Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program and the Hewlett Foundation, to explore the power dynamics between funders, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) based in the Global North, and CSOs founded and based in sub-Saharan Africa. We will be joined by:

• Stigmata Tenga, Executive Director, Africa Philanthropy Network
• Julius Mbeya, Managing Director, Lwala Community Alliance
• Fatime Faye, African Feminist Forum
• Coumba Toure, Co-Coodinator, Africans Rising

Our conversation will draw in part on findings from the Aspen Institute’s recent report evaluating the Hewlett Foundation’s strategy for supporting local advocacy in sub-Saharan Africa. The report summarizes key findings and recommendations on capacity strengthening and power sharing practices. It is part of a five-year learning and evaluation process that will conclude in 2021.

The event will be in English, with simultaneous French interpretation. We will invite live questions and comments from the audience in both English and French. We look forward to sharing a recording following the event for those who are unable to attend.