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Description/ overview:
The project follows on from the 2007-2008 Syria Trust/UNDP Initiation Plan which laid the foundation of a Platform for development-focused Syrian NGO’s. A continuation of this cooperation, the project aims to legally and operationally launch the Platform for Syrian NGO’s working on development. The Platform will be designed as a forum to enhance the development of civil society in Syria through capacity development for NGO’s as well as provide them the collective space to enhance civil society contribution to and participation in the development process in the country.
Cross-Cutting Themes:
Women’s empowerment and ICT
Objectives:
The programme is in keeping with the Tenth Five-Year Plan, in particular the framework for transformation outlined by the Government of Syria entailing a new social contract among the public sector, the private sector and civil society. The objectives are to provide a network for development NGO’s in Syria to communicate and share experiences, to strengthen organizational capacities to implement development projects and to build national capacities within NGO to develop and manage projects.
Implementation Strategy:
i) Establish a Platform for development NGOs as a legal entity, and gain support of membership:
- Put qualified staff in place with clear job descriptions
- Promote the NGO Platform as a members-based entity (ongoing activity)
- Develop vision, mission, governance and operational strategies
- Develop and get approved bylaws, AcA and CoC and final legal status in coordination with MoSAL
- Transform Platform into an independent entity with name, logo, consultants, resource mobilisation strategy, and independent office unit
ii) Establish mechanisms to promote and support NGOs in Syria:
- Establish a networking and communication unit
- Make information available to NGOs on legislation, government regulations and baseline statistics
- Establish a project consultancy clinic
- Develop and update a mapping of civil development initiatives in Syria
- Develop thematic working groups of member NGOs
iii) Strengthen organisational capacities of local NGOs
- Establish a training unit
- Conduct a capacity assessment of Platform members
- Capacity building support for member NGOs
Achievements / Current Status:
As of February 2010:
- As this project is the continuation of the Initiation Plan signed in 2007, UNDP is now in the process of recruiting a legal and logistical team to finalize the structure and vision of the NGO Platform.
- Conducted a tour of NGO’s in December and January to familiarize project team with NGO’s in Aleppo, Qamishli, Deir Ezzor. This trip was also to introduce the Platform to NGO’s outside of Damascus and to gauge interest and consensus on vision and purpose of Platform.
- Further activities include drafting and finalizing vision and legal structure to be approved by the Ministry of Social Affairs.
- Project will also design and implement capacity development strategies for Syrian NGO’s working in development as part of their participation in the Platform
Target Beneficiaries:
Development-focused NGO’s and civil society in Syria
Partnerships:
- Syria Trust for Development
- Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor
Project Documents Link:
For More Information please visit: www.ngoplatform.org |
