The SACE project in the Niger Delta was funded by USAID and PIND from 2014 to 2019 with the aim of strengthening civil society’s ability to influence the development and implementation of key democratic reforms at the national, state and local levels. SACE engaged marginalized population such as women, youth and people living with disabilities and emphasized the importance of leadership and innovation to achieve results. The project informed the establishment of stakeholder coalitions, known as clusters, to exert pressure to improve transparency, accountability and good governance in a range of sectors, such as: education, health, extractives, economic growth and social inclusion. Through the project, CSOs had their institutional capacities strengthened, partners’ networks became stronger, there was increased awareness of public discourse around democratic issues and business membership organizations (BMOs) capacities were strengthened for inclusive economic reforms.
Apart from being a co-funder of SACE, PIND was actively involved at the implementation stage by providing technical support to the benefiting CSOs. During the project tenure, PIND offered quarterly coaching, business and institutional support to these organizations within the Niger Delta. In addition, the CSOs leveraged PIND’s connection to State governments to advocate their cause. For instance, the Edo State Farmers Association Limited (a cooperative association) drafted an Agricultural Bill for the State which required the buy-in of the Governor, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture. PIND was very instrumental to the process and got the bill ratified by the Edo State government. Similarly, PIND’s role in SACE facilitated the adoption of the Akwa Ibom Youth Bill of 2019.
Multiyear grants were provided to 18 partners CSOs, comprising 8 national-level organizations, 7 Niger Delta organizations and 3 Niger Delta BMOs. To date, three of the Niger Delta partnering CSOs have become strong and now eligible to directly apply for USAID grants. With the transformational changes recorded, the SACE project came to a close in January 2019.
