CAPABLE Challenge Fund Grantees

Better Living Foundation (BLF) based in Ondo State is already putting the grants to use by building the capacity of 10 Ilaje Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and 10 Cooperative Groups in Igbokoda, Ilaje area of Ondo State on proposal and business plan development and entrepreneurship skills. BSF held consultations with the 10 CBOs and 10 Cooperative groups through advocacy visits to key stakeholders and government agencies capable of influencing both implementation of planned activities and expansion of impacts of the initiative. Stakeholders visited included the Olu of Igbokoda (the traditional ruler), the Ilaje Youth Forum, the Chairman of the Local Government Council, the Permanent Secretary of Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Director of Department of Small-Scale Industry (DSSI) of the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Following the consultations, BSF has successfully trained 20 participants (11 males, 9 females) from the 10 Ilaje CBOs on proposal writing and business plan development under the Challenge Fund Grant, with a pre and post test result showing shift from ‘no knowledge’ at the start of the training to ‘acquired knowledge’ at the end. This has inspired the traditional council and Ilaje youth to promise support to BSF to ensure smooth implementation of the training activities while the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has also expressed willingness to support the Challenge Fund activities.

Forward Africa held a 3-day Resource Mobilization and Fund Raising Strategy (RM/FR) Retreat. Through participatory process at the retreat, Forward Africa (FOFA) has developed a five-year Strategic and Sustainability Plan. Forward Africa has also used the Challenge Fund grant to engage an M&E Consultant to strengthen the Organisation’s Monitoring and Evaluation unit and Framework

Green Concern for Development held training for 30 Local Government Legislators from 3 LGAs and 15 Civil Society Organizations in Cross River State on using social media for constituency engagement.

Using the videography and video editing equipment from the CF grant, Accord for Community Development trained their staff on documentary production. Staff used the skills gained to produce a documentary on PEACE-PATH for a project seeking to strengthen community relation between security agents and communities in Delta State; and commenced an Interview Series to draw attention to the need to give adult women with no education basic education in reading and writing.

Canon camera lens and flash purchased with CF support helped CEDSI to produce high quality images and videos which has improved CEDSI’s IEC materials. Training on video editing also helped reduce CEDSI’s expenditure on video production.

CFID was assisted to procure a Peachtree Accounting Software and Computer which it has used to train its staff to use the equipment.