USAID program graduates first NGO batch

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the Building Alliances for Local Advancement, Development and Investment –Capacity Building (BALADI CAP) Program which graduated ten civil society organizations.

NGOs recently completed a targeted two-year capacity building cycle that included training on financial management, organizational development, information technology, and disaster management, among other courses.

BALADI CAP also launched the Civic Engagement Initiative, which creates networks among civil society organizations to advocate topics that are critical to the country’s development.

The ten NGOs that graduated are Mosan Center for Special Needs, Kawkaba Social and Cultural Club, Al Shouf Cedars Society, Tatweer, Center for Development, Democracy & Governance, T.E.R.R.E Liban, Bentael Natural Reserve Committee (Al Horouf), White Land Foundation, Ehmej Association for Development and Kousba El Ghad.

BALADI CAP is a $14.9 million, five-year program that advances the institutional capacities of NGOs and municipalities in order to improve their advocacy skills and delivery of services to local citizens. Specifically, it offers technical assistance to selected NGOs in the fields of organization development, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation.

More NGOs are expected to participate in the upcoming two-year cycle. During these two years, BALADI CAP will work with local municipalities and stakeholders to strengthen citizen-government cooperation in local policy and decision-making processes, improve service delivery, identify resources, and ensure oversight of public institutions.