Strengthening the Capacity of Philippine Civil Society Organisations

In 2011-2014, the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) became part of a 3-year capacity building initiative called “Strengthening the Capacity of Philippine CSOs Project”. The project involved the development of a self-assessment tool called the CAT (Capacity Assessment Tool) so that a CSO can evaluate or rate itself in terms of its organizational development or maturity in the areas of Governance and Leadership, Financial Management, Administrative and Personnel Management, Project Development and Management and Resource Mobilization. While the tool reflects compliance with Philippine laws and context, some indicators may also apply to CSOs in other countries. The CAT becomes a basis for CSOs to identify areas of organizational weakness and strength, so they can craft their capacity building plan.

Towards these ends, participating delegates in the first National Congress forged what is now known as the Covenant on Philippine Development. To this day, this historic document remains the fundamental basis for the broad unity established among the member networks and organizations of CODE-NGO.

Learning from this project, CODE-NGO developed two more CATs – in the areas of Networking and Member Relations and of Advocacy Effectiveness. These two areas are more relevant to networks like CODE-NGO and its direct members.

You can check out the project and complete the self-assessment here.