Merti Integrated Development Programme (MID-P), strengthened by Danida/ Danish Refugees Council (DRC) in three key areas; MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning), Finance, and Resource Mobilization has cascaded the capacities to community-based organizations (CBOs) in Isiolo County. Under the Girl Generation- African Led Movement (TGG ALM) project, funded by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through Options Limited, MID-P has been tasked with a responsibility to support and build the capacity of 14 CBOs ((42 participants: 22F:23M) in Isiolo county. These CBOs have received training in Governance, Finance, Human Resources (HR), Procurement, and MEAL, which has improved their ability to manage projects and resources effectively. Following the footsteps of DRC that has supported MID-P and four other organizations in different parts of the country through the localization agenda, MID-P will also be passing on the mantle to other CBOs.

MID-P’s ability to cascade the support it received through Danida/DRC has helped strengthen local organizations, contributing to the broader localization agenda of supporting grassroots communities to become more self-sufficient, accountable, and transparent. Through tailored training and ongoing monitoring, MID-P has helped these CBOs adopt new tools (list of participants and payment schedule), strengthen their governance structures, and enhance the quality of their programming.

The cascading capacity building efforts have resulted in improvements within the 14 CBOs in Isiolo County. Some of the key impacts include; with support from MID-P’s Board representative, Madam Rukia Buke and Executive Director, Mr. Molu Tepo the CBOs have developed governance structures.

Leadership is now capable of overseeing their operations, ensuring accountability, and making informed decisions. The training on the importance of governance has led to oversight and organizational transparency. The training provided by MID-P Finance and Administration Manager, Mr. Salad Godana on financial management and reporting requirements has supported the CBOs to manage their finances with accuracy and transparency. Tools such as financial templates, payment sheets, and participant lists have been adopted to standardize their financial documentation, making their processes more streamlined and compliant with donor reporting requirements. By focusing on MEAL, MID-P has equipped the CBOs with the skills needed to report their programs. The CBOs are now able to track their work and improve program quality.

The feedback from Pastoralists Women for livelihood and Social Support (PWLS) community-based organizations has been positive, highlighting the immediate value of the training and tools provided. Nasra Ibrahim shared, “The capacity building sessions from MID-P have been a turning point for our organization. We now have the tools and knowledge to manage our finances more effectively. The governance training has also helped us improve our internal oversight and decision-making processes.”

Another grantee, a representative from Isiolo Human Right Defender CBO in Isiolo, remarked, “The practical tools we received, like the payment sheets and financial templates, have been a huge help in organizing our finances. Before this training, we were struggling with reporting requirements, but now it’s much easier to keep track of everything, and we feel more confident in our financial management.”

While the progress has been substantial, MID-P is focused on continuous improvement to ensure long term success for the CBOs by continuing to assist the CBOs in developing and implementing key policies, particularly in governance, finance, and procurement. This is essential for ensuring that the CBOs have the right frameworks in place to manage their operations effectively and sustain their activities in the future and as the CBOs mature and gain experience, MID-P plans to offer advanced training in finance and procurement. This will help the CBOs build on the foundation they’ve established, enabling them to manage larger projects and seek more diverse funding sources. Also, to ensure that the CBOs continue to progress and implement the best practices learned, MID-P will provide ongoing monitoring and mentorship. Regular check ins will allow MID-P to offer guidance on policy implementation, program quality and financial management.

“The training we received from MID-P taught us the importance of policy formulation, the process of preparing both narrative and financial reports, and the necessity of having a functional board in place. The session was both engaging and interactive, providing us with valuable opportunities to share our experiences related to project implementation. The training highlighted practical strategies for improving organizational processes and emphasized the need for continuous learning and collaboration. This was important for us as an organization and we look forward to more trainings on capacity building.” Said Aisha Roba CEO Every Girls’ Dream

Fig 1: MID-P finance manager supporting dream shapers CBO on of the grantees on understanding their financial report.

MID-P’s capacity building efforts have had an impact on the 14 community-based organizations in Isiolo County. By cascading the institutional strengthening, they received from Danida/DRC, MID-P has helped these CBOs improve their governance, financial management, and MEAL practices, ensuring that they can deliver high quality programs and be more accountable to their donors and communities. Through this continued support, MID-P is playing a key role in supporting local organizations to become more self-reliant, transparent, and impactful. As MID-P works to improve and expand its capacity-building, the long-term goal is to create sustainable, community-driven change in Isiolo County and beyond.

“The TGG ALM Project has shown that when local organizations are supported with the right tools and knowledge, they can thrive and create lasting change in their communities, “said Ms. Mercy Mukami, TGG-ALM, Program Officer.

MID-P recognizes that each CBO faces unique challenges. MID-P plans to provide more personalized support to address the specific needs of individual organizations, helping them solve problems, overcome challenges, and improve their overall impact.