Collaboration: A Tool for Change

There is a lot gotten from engaging with people who are exposed to the same challenges and activities as you do.  A lot of non-governmental organisations have similar challenges but do not get to interact probably because of the large workload that comes with deadlines or not having a network with persons who can be reached in other organisations. Thriving in the development space entails overcoming several huddles and challenges that are usually not written in black and white. Some of the challenges includes being seen and known for your impact and quality of work and connecting with other existing NGOs in the space.

The theme for the World NGO day this year is “Collaborate”, there is no better time for civil society organisations to come together than now. In commemoration of this day, Onelife Initiative had an ‘Open Day’ whereby other people working in the development space and those planning to start a non-profit organisation were invited to interact with each other and the organisation. This event provided an avenue for people to see past project work through an exhibition of all materials used such as training aids, publications, fliers, T-shirts, roll-up banners and other behaviour change communication materials used as souvenirs used during the projects.

The day didn’t end there, participants also had a discussion session on understanding the history and future of NGOs in Nigeria, financial regulations required of NGOs in Nigeria, how to set up an NGO, the difference between running a project and setting up an NGO and which one you should rather go for, the benefits of collaborations and examples of collaborations. Collaborations can be as simple as organisations splitting the coordination of activities to be done in a program. The responsibilities can be effectively shared based on the strength of the organisation and this can supported by a contract. These organisations will at the end of the program all come together and record that they organised a program and would have made positive impacts from the results achieved.

The faster organizations realize the hidden opportunities of collaborations and embrace it, the quicker they begin to experience a change in the results they hope to achieve. There is strength in collaboration; it helps to keep everyone on top and even improve the quality of results. We are definitely ready to take on this task of collaborating with as many organisations as possible. What are you still waiting for? At this point you should already have that organisation in mind that you’re willingly to reach out to for a collaboration. Also be open to collaborate with other NGOs.