Implementing new acquired knowledge

After receiving an invite from the West Africa Institute for Civil Society Organisation (WACSI), youth leader Shoki Kandjimi wants to share his newly acquired knowledge.
Tunohole Mungoba
Tunohole Mungoba

Shoki Kandjimi, a youth leader and radio presenter, recently returned from Accra, Ghana after being invited by The West Africa Institute for Civil Society Organisation (WACSI) to represent the Young Achievers Empowerment Project and Namibia at large which took place from 26 to 28 November. “This conference discussed alternative funding models for civil societies in Africa. Over 37 African countries were represented,” said Kandjimi.

According to him, the conference covered a number of objectives such as creating a space for civil society organisations (CSOs) to learn and share best practices of mobilising funding through non-traditional approaches, provide an opportunity for CSOs to strengthen their knowledge in financial sustainability and alternative funding mechanisms, strengthen the capacity of CSOs to apply various innovative tools to enhance their resourcing efforts and to develop a guidebook on perspectives and best practices regarding alternative funding models.

“Participants from Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia were also represented to present their perspectives and enrich the discussions. A key outcome of the convening was the creation of a guidebook on perspectives and best practices regarding alternative funding models. The convening also provided an opportunity for activists to share their approaches, challenges, milestones, gaps, and make recommendations,” added Kandjimi.

He plans on implementing alternative funding models for Young Achievers for their various projects.

“This guidebook will be available in January 2019. The country is finding itself in an economic recession and cannot fully partner with various movements in terms of finances. Due to the current economic climate, the National Youth Council of Namibia, one of our key partners can no longer fund us either. Moreover, I will also be working with the Young Achievers team to start a social enterprise that will help sustain our organisation and its projects,” he added.

A youth leader at Young Achievers, Michael Mulunga, says he looks forward to what Kandjimi has to implement as his contributions could help improve organisational finances. “His knowledge will be valuable and we would also like to learn from him,” said Mulunga.