In the ongoing quest for gender-sensitive conflict prevention and Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiatives in Somalia, Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) stand as pivotal actors. Their expertise and dedication offer a unique opportunity to foster lasting change. However, for these organizations to truly thrive and lead, a series of strategic recommendations must be implemented.
1. Recognize and Support WROs and CSOs
WROs and CSOs possess invaluable knowledge and skills to address gender-specific conflict issues and promote WPS. Their expertise must be acknowledged and supported through increased core funding and more flexible funding models. This support should be coupled with efforts to enhance organizational capacities in key areas, enabling these organizations to drive impactful WPS agendas. The current improvements in security and ongoing national debates on women’s roles present a critical window of opportunity. Donors should seize this moment by prioritizing funding for WROs and CSOs and advocating for national initiatives such as the adoption of a National Action Plan (NAP) on WPS, enhancing women’s participation in decision-making, and advancing justice and women’s rights.
2. Prioritize Underfunded Areas and Flexible Funding
Donors should focus on increasing support for underfunded and priority areas within WPS, including access to justice, women’s participation, conflict prevention, and holistic approaches to women’s rights. Funding should be context-specific, adaptable to emergency needs, and designed to address both immediate and long-term challenges. It is essential to move beyond narrow donor priorities and invest in comprehensive programs that tackle root causes of gender inequality and conflict. This includes allocating at least 10% of funding for organizational development to bolster the core functions of WROs and CSOs.
3. Foster Equal Partnerships
International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) should adopt partnership models based on solidarity and mutual respect. By building equal and committed partnerships with WROs and CSOs, INGOs can support these organizations in leading change within their communities. Long-term, supportive relationships should replace short-term project-based engagements, ensuring that WROs and CSOs can advocate effectively for the rights and needs of their communities. This partnership approach involves co-designing programs and budgets, providing resources for organizational development, and facilitating direct funding access.
4. Strengthen Organizational Capacities
Donors should prioritize capacity strengthening based on the needs identified by WROs and CSOs themselves. Support should focus on critical areas such as resource mobilization, finance, program design, operations, and monitoring and evaluation (MEL). Investments should include direct funding for core functions and capacity-building activities embedded within project funding. By aligning with the self-identified priorities of these organizations, donors can enhance their effectiveness and sustainability.
5. Improve Accessibility and Application Processes
To increase accessibility, donors and multilateral institutions should simplify application processes and tailor funding to the needs of WROs and CSOs. This includes providing clear and timely information on application procedures and allowing for at least four weeks’ notice before deadlines. Simplified application formats and accessible reporting requirements will enable more organizations to participate and benefit from funding opportunities.
6. Harmonize Compliance and Due Diligence
Donors and INGOs should streamline due diligence processes by tailoring requirements to the capacity of national CSOs and the funding amount. By reducing the burden of compliance and investing in core staff to manage these requirements, WROs and CSOs can more effectively navigate funding challenges and focus on their core missions.
7. Simplify Proposals and Budgets
Proposal and budget templates should be simplified to ease the application process for WROs and CSOs. Proposals should be adaptable to community needs and relevant national strategies, rather than solely donor priorities. Budgets should include overhead and administrative costs to support the operational needs of these organizations.
8. Enhance Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
Funding for MEL should be a core component of support for WROs and CSOs, rather than being confined to specific projects. MEL frameworks developed by these organizations should be prioritized, and new frameworks should be co-designed with them. Support should also include resources for using MEL data to inform program design and planning for contingencies such as emergencies.
9. Streamline Reporting Requirements
Donors and INGOs should develop standardized, accessible reporting formats and reduce the frequency of reporting. By moving towards biannual or annual reporting and using informal channels when appropriate, reporting can become more manageable. Training on reporting requirements will further support WROs and CSOs in meeting donor expectations.
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