En.v introduces participants of NGO capacity building program at media round table

The en.v initiative, a leading Kuwaitbased organization dedicated to promoting social responsibility in the Arab world, today announced the finalization of the first phase of training of the STAND Program. STAND (Support for Training, Advocacy and Networking in Development) is a regional program which aims to build the capacity of the local civil society sector through training, funding, and networking opportunities. The announcement was made at a media roundtable, which was held at the Safir Hotel. STAND is funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) through a non-profit organization, PARTNERS (PDC), and implemented in collaboration with The en.v Initiative in Kuwait. The two-year program utilizes an integrated approach to capacitybuilding, which combines small grants, training and mentoring. The program’s main objectives are to provide access to learning tools and skills sets for emerging Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and contribute to the creation of a more transparent, accountable and professional third sector in Kuwait, the civic sector. “At en.v, we are proud to be spearheading a program that supports and trains the individuals and organizations that are dedicated to furthering Kuwait as a country and a community,” stated Zahed Sultan, Managing Director of the The en.v Initiative. “We aim to continue to raise visibility and build the capacity of local civil society initiatives as we begin to play an active role in shaping the field of social development on a regional level as well.”The STAND program is divided into three primary phases: Bedaya, Injaz and Ta’awun. During the first phase, which was recently completed, 10 local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) received training in NGO Governance, Leadership Development, Strategic Planning and Cooperative Advocacy. Participating CSOs will soon be receiving a small grant to implement a project and apply their newly-acquired skills. en.v will then assess the participating CSOs, and seven of them will be selected to graduate to the next phase.

The 10 organizations which were selected to participate in the first phase of the program are: Deera, a non-profit project aiming to promote greater civic engagement and good governance in Kuwait; Equait, a local youth group fighting against discrimination in all of its forms; Fursa, a non-profit initiative aiming to promote local SMEs; Group 29, a local activist organization promoting the rights of Kuwaiti bedoons (stateless citizens) through campaigning, lobbying and advocacy; INJAZ Kuwait, an organization promoting youth entrepreneurship and education; K’S PATH, an animal welfare organization; Kuwait Transparency Society, an NGO dedicated to fighting against corruption; Sout Al Kuwait, an organization promoting awareness of the Constitution and the rights enshrined within it; Spread the Passion, a leading Kuwaiti volunteer center, and Thmeen, a local selfempowerment group aiming to create greater visibility for positive Kuwaiti role models . During the next two phases of the STAND program, selected CSOs will receive training in: IT for Office Administration, Fundraising and Proposal-Writing, Financial Management, Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Coalition Building, Networking, Communications, Social Media, and Conflict Management. They will also receive larger grants to continue working on their local projects, while utilizing the skills acquired through their accumulated training. The ultimate goal of the program is to empower participating organizations to be more effective and structured in their work, as well as promote collaboration and networking across the civic sector.