New TRIAS Project to Improve CSO-Government Engagement
On 24th March 2022, TRIAS Uganda undertook a capacity building workshop for Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) Board and its Member-Based Organisations (MBOs).
The training that aimed to orient participants about the Civic Space project was facilitated by Ms. Lydia Muchodo, Regional Program Coordinator – TRIAS Uganda. The training provided an opportunity for members to undertake a comprehensive SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) for their organisation.
The Civic Space project aims to contribute to an improved and sustained engagement of civil society with the government as a means of influencing and driving inclusive development. The project will also enhance the capacity of UNFFE to influence responsive service delivery and increase access to basic government services for farmers, in particular, women, youth and vulnerable people, through its lobby and advocacy work.
“The project was launched so that farmers under the auspices of UNFFE can have different spaces to express their ideas to promote the inclusive policy development, so as UNFFE and TRIAS we need to strengthen our engagement so as to improve on our inclusive policy strategy,” Lydia Muchodo said. She also challenged the UNFFE board members to identify all the loopholes in their organisation for better development.
Speaking at the training, the UNFFE Secretary General, Mr. Ocith Tom Oryema, urged the board members to embrace documentation for all the work undertaken by their organisation as part of improving record-keeping and evidence-based advocacy.
The workshop was part of the global approach of TRIAS of transforming Member-Based Organisations (MBOs) into agents of change who promote social justice. This will help to build on the successes of recently concluded TRIAS programmes in Uganda funded by the Belgian government and European Union on strengthening MBOs in lobby, networking and advocacy.
The project is funded by the Directorate-General for Development and will be implemented by TRIAS in partnership with its member-based organisations and UNFFE – an association that amplifies the voices of farmers in the country.