Guinea NGOs Capacity Development Building

The training in NGO development and English Proficiency for francophone development practitioners (CLUSA National Guinea) from the Republic of Guinea took place August 2005 and was facilitated by POSDEV. The process entailed separating participants into two groups: 1) Beginners (those just learning English) and 2) Advanced (those with some knowledge and could express themselves in English). The six-week training included the following: English courses, computer skill workshops, developing advocacy skills for NGOs, proposal writing, organizational development, strategic planning, organizational development stages, organizational self-appraisal techniques as well as field visits to Anglophone development settings.

Outcome of training:

• High improvement in the use of the English language
• Effective and efficient use of computer application programs such as MS WORD, MS EXCEL, POWERPOINT and Internet
• Participants gained understanding of the difference between organization dynamics and project dynamics
• Built knowledge of the need for organizations to have a vision, mission and clearly defined objectives (as well as clearly defined roles and responsibilities)
• Learned the necessity of strategic planning as a strong organizational management tool
• Realized the importance of communication and information management and its role with various external stakeholders.