The PLP Group One had her reflection session of its members. The meeting held on the 22nd day of January, 202 by 11:56am at the office of Centre for Human Rights, Health Ethnic Harmony and Livelihood Development (CHHELD), Bank of Industry – Rivers State University (BOI-RSU) Innovation Hub. The PLP session brings together ACT-CSO partners together to share challenges amongst themselves and proffer solutions, reflect on what each organization has done in the past, what they are doing presently and what keeps them going.
The meeting began with introductions of attendees. The EU-ACT State focal person, Mr Temple Oraeki shared the objectives of the meeting and gave room to ACT-CSO partners catch-up on impacts and share plans and updates on previous and current being executed.
a. Mr. Bere Letam Noble, Project Officer of Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) shared with members the YEAC “Chop Well – Grow Well – Learn Well” program they carried out in Ogoni land which treated the issue of malnutrition, how they had trainings on cashless policy and managing finance. They also told partners how they took up cases on Gender base violence, human right violation and partnership with youth organization and women affairs.
b. Mr. Josiah of Centre for Environment, Human Right and Development (CEHRD) briefed the group of how they have been able to coach and mentor growing organizations, train OSPAC members on how to carry out their duties respectfully, and how they are looking forward to partner with House of Assembly to tackle the issue of organized crimes.
c. David Prince, Program Officer of Centre for Human Rights, Health, Ethnic Harmony and Livelihood Development (CHHELD) briefed the group on how they were able to relocate to a new office space, the organizations plan to reach out to the students in their new environment, efforts in tackling human right infringement whereby the organization has successfully intervened in settling disputes between some members of the society; plans to kick start projects on Environment and climate change and also provide health insurance for staff.
d. Dr. Kingdom Nwayanwu, the Executive Director of D-Ability Initiative briefed members on how they successfully carried out a training for girls in SS1 – SS3 on ICT and provided ten (10) laptops for the girls so that they can have a skill when they finish secondary school. They also went ahead to tell the house how they intend to train ten (10) persons with disabilities on how to repair phones and ICT skill.
What Worked Well
1. PLP sessions were participatory with members contributing new ideas which were beneficial to members.
What didn’t work well (Challenges):
1. Lack of participation by Executive Directors, whereby new inexperienced staff are assigned to attend PLP meetings, and thus the aim of knowledge sharing is defeated.
2. Not having enough fund to carry out projects,
3. Lack of communication amongst members: ACT-CSO partners not visiting one another or having a good knowledge of what each organization stand for.
4. Ideas and knowledge contributed during PLP sessions not implemented by organizations as key decision makers are unaware or not committed to implementing knowledge and contributions made during PLP meetings.
5. Lack of preparations by ACT-CSO partners before attending PLP meetings
6. Unconducive environment during PLP meetings.
7. Lack of funding to attends PLP meetings
8. Lack of communication: information was only disseminated to Executive Directors.
What stood out:
1. Knowledge from PLP sessions were beneficial to the growth of ACT CSO partners.
2. PLP Sessions gave partners the opportunity to form relationships and partnerships, and also know the office spaces of partners.
3. Partnerships in proposal development between ACT-CSO partners.
Recommendations for Sustainability:
1. Some PLP meetings should be held virtual (Zoom) so members can participate from the convenience of the offices.
2. Members should inculcate the practice of visiting the office space of one organization to build partnerships, encourage and support one another.
3. Partnership in proposal writing- There should be collaboration between Executive Directors and decision makers in CSOs. ACT CSOs should not wait for proposal before initiating partnerships.
4. ACT-CSO partners should share information about the organization via newsletters.
5. Experienced staff should attend peer learning sessions and step-down trainings should be carried in each organization.
6. Certificate of partnerships given to ACT CSO partners
7. Other members of staff should be included in WhatsApp platforms
The meeting came to a close with the closing remark by the EU-ACT State Focal person, Mr Temple Oraeki He appreciated members for their contributions and for attending.
To meeting came to a close by 2:38pm with 7 members in attendance.
