ACFODE Conducts a Regional Training Workshop for CSO Actors in Lira District

From the 4^th to 6^th of June, ACFODE with support from Diakonia conducted a training workshop on good governance and gender accountability for civil society actors in Lira district, with the aim of sharpening their skills in advocacy and engagement of communities in demanding for their rights. The training, which was a follow up of the Training of Trainers (ToTs) held in 2012 brought together members of the civil society from Apac, Kole and Oyam districts.

The workshop was opened by the Speaker of Oyam district, who emphasized the need for better collaboration between civil society actors and local leaders in the struggle for attainment of rights. He also urged the participants to include interventions with cultural leaders into their activities in order for them to be more effective in their communities.

In an effort to gauge the progress of the participants in their activities, they were given an opportunity to share the issues that emerged in the process of conducting the civic education training sessions in the communities. Several positive issues were highlighted including increased community awareness of their roles as the electorate and improved community ability to identify human rights and governance gaps in their midst. On the other hand, some negative issues  emerged such as, gender disparities in property ownership and poor health services, among others.

Participants from Apac outlining the emerging issues from
 their community civic education training sessions

The two day training therefore provided sessions on effective advocacy and resource mobilization, which enabled the participants to better identify the pertinent advocacy issues in their communities that require redress. Some of the issues that were highlighted included; GBV, high school drop-out rates and limited integration of good governance and gender accountability in local government planning processes.  The participants were also equipped with skills in both on and offline methods of effective resource mobilization. In addition, they benefitted from the experiences and best practices shared by Mr. Francis Ogema, a Community Monitor with 7 years experience of supporting communities in activism and monitoring government programs. He cautioned the participants on possible intimidation in their work, advising them to work with the local leaders to minimize misunderstandings.

As a result of the rich sessions, the participants were able to draw SMART action plans for their interventions, which outlined the outstanding advocacy issues in their communities, their resource mobilization plans as well as clear indicators of success. The renewed focus and direction of their action plans, equipped each participant with the necessary tools to carry out the tasks ahead of them with efficiency.  

Compiled by:

Nancy Nandudu

Public Relations and Communications Officer

Action For Development