Liz Diebold

Strategic Partnerships for Societal Transformation: Connecting NGOs and Corporate South Africa Khulisa Social Solutions is dedicated to empowering NGOs, recognizing their pivotal role in societal transformation. By equipping local NGOs with the tools and capacity to address pressing social challenges, we ensure they become sustainable platforms for long-term community resilience. This focus drives all our initiatives, fostering stronger, more impactful NGOs. In South Africa's landscape of political complexities and social challenges, NGOs stand out as beacons of change. To be truly transformative, they require proper constitution and capacitation. This entails aligning missions with community needs and ensuring resources and expertise for effective execution. Corporations play a critical role, with involvement beyond checkbox CSR. Support must be strategic, targeted, and aligned with genuine community needs. By adopting a needs-driven approach, businesses provide measurable and impactful support, moving beyond financial assistance to sharing expertise, technology, and networks to amplify NGO service delivery. Well-supported NGOs can be significant sources of employment, stimulating local economies and fostering societal stability, contributing to long-term economic growth. To enhance impact, NGOs must adopt data-driven interventions, demonstrating effectiveness to secure further support and refine strategies for sustainable change. Robust partnerships with civil society and corporations can liberate NGOs from unpredictable government funding, enabling flexible collaborations that scale solutions and yield wide-scale change. Such synergies enhance community well-being and foster a healthier society overall, benefiting the social and economic environments that businesses depend on. Supporting NGOs is not just philanthropy; it's a strategic investment in our economy and future. To capitalize on this potential, transparency, accountability, and continuous dialogue are crucial. Businesses must engage in partnerships that address immediate concerns and pave the way for long-term societal benefits, building a legacy of positive impact for generations to come. We urge corporate leaders to align strategic goals with community development initiatives, mobilizing investment opportunities for real change. By partnering with organizations like Khulisa Social Solutions, your investments achieve maximum social impact, fostering a healthier, more stable society. Now is the time to transform your CSI strategy into an impactful investment in our collective future. Engage with us today to explore how your organization can make a significant difference in South African communities. #khulisasocialsolutions #khulisa

21

5 Comments

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are crucial to sustainable development because they address important issues based on assessed needs and financial feasibility with a positive Return on Investment. Read a Coach's perspectives on PPPs in Sub-Saharan Africa in "Building Better Bridges" available June 2024.

26

1 Comment

Our latest Aceli Africa learning brief shares data from $200M in Aceli-supported loans to #agriSMEs in #EastAfrica as well as insights from our partnership with Value For Women Ltd. to promote more gender inclusive lending practices. Some highlights: Women-owned businesses still struggle to access finance, but lenders are increasingly motivated to serve them; for example, one Kenyan bank launched a dedicated loan product and scaled up its loans to #womenowned agri-SMEs from three in 2021 to 54 as of mid-2024. Women's ownership does not necessarily correlate with employing more women or purchasing a larger share of produce from women #farmers; in fact, we found that about half of men-owned agri-SMEs meet the 2X Global international standard for gender inclusion and these businesses engage slightly higher percentages of women workers and farmers than their women-owned counterparts. Demand from lenders for capacity building to support their #genderinclusion strategies has doubled in the past year. Commercial banks are leading this market pull – an indication that gender lens investing is moving from niche to mainstream. These trends are encouraging, but sustained interventions are needed to ensure #genderlensinvesting is not a passing fad. Additionally, much more evidence is required to go beyond output metrics (i.e., “counting women”) and address issues such as the quality of working conditions for employees and services offered to farmers. Kudos to Eddah Makinia Nangole for leading Aceli's gender inclusion strategy and thanks to Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for supporting this work.  Read the full brief for more insights: https://lnkd.in/eini4j3g.

140

7 Comments

🌍 Reflecting on Legitimacy in Youth-Led Organizations During our annual partnership reflection meeting in Lira organised by Plan International Plan International Uganda , I was deeply inspired by the passion that young people bring to community development and Civil Society Organization (CSO) work. Our small group discussions revolved around legitimacy—what it truly means for an organization to serve and sustain in the long run. Robert Ninyesiga from the @NgoForum shared insights on best practices and highlighted three essential qualities that a credible CSO should embody: being ✅findable, ✅credible, and ✅fundable. These points continue to resonate with me, especially as we prepare for new opportunities in the sector. This conversation reaffirmed the need for youth-led organizations to localize their approach and "sanitize" their systems. By strengthening transparency, reliability, and adaptability, we can position ourselves to thrive in the face of growing opportunities and challenges. Now is the time to prioritize accountability and alignment with community needs, enhancing both our impact and our sustainability. Youth-led organizations have the drive and vision to transform communities. Let’s build on this foundation with structured systems and transparent practices, so we can empower and uplift the communities we serve. 🌱💡 #YouthLedDevelopment #CommunityImpact #CSO #Legitimacy #SustainableDevelopment #Localization #CapacityBuilding #TouchTheSlum

15

1 Comment

🌟 Today, I had the pleasure of sharing insights with over 40 CSOs under the @Kenya NGOs Alliance Against Malaria (KeNAAM) network on developing impactful fundraising plans. 🌟 During the session, we tackled some of the key challenges growing organizations face, particularly in developing meaningful fundraising strategies. Traditional strategy development can be time-consuming and costly, making it impractical for growing non-profits with limited budgets. ⏳💸 In our discussion, I covered: 🔹 How to ensure your plan is anchored to your mission and strategic plan 🔹 Setting fundraising goals that meet your needs 🔹 Developing strategies aligned with the fundraising cycle 🔹 Top strategies that growing CSOs should consider At Realtime Insights, we specialize in creating packages that help grassroots and mid-sized organizations design simple, practical fundraising plans. 📊✨ Our streamlined approach significantly reduces the timeframe, making the process more accessible and cost-effective. 🚀💡 Need a fundraising plan? Reach out to us on WhatsApp: 254 790 410 139 Thank you, KENAAM leadership Edward Mwangi the opportunity to share and collaborate! #Fundraising #NonProfit #StrategyDevelopment #CSO #KENAAM #RealtimeInsights

4

Member based organisations play a critical role in spearheading lobby and advocacy for their members to ensure they get good services,inclusion in service access etc. Last week Heifer International Zambia 🇿🇲 we held a women lobby and advocacy training for District Women Development Associations (DWDA) under the #womeneconomicempowermentproject funded by SIDA. The objective was to empower the Women leaders with lobby and advocacy capacity to enable them develop and submit lobby papers to their leaders as part of promoting Women inclusion.The training also incorporated a stakeholders mapping approach to understand which stakeholders exist and what services they can provide in the process of lobby and service provision.It was also clear that lobby is a give and take process and can take time depending on the gravity of the issue at hand. One of the key aspects of the lobby process is member consultation to ensure clarity and focus on issues affecting members. Some of the issues the participants brought out was lack of representation at Ward Development Committee (WDC) to ensure Women participation in Community Development Fund (CDF),low inclusion in Cash for work programs etc. However,some districts like Chadiza reported having manged to get representation at these committees.Indeed it's possible to increase inclusion and promote women participation. #WomenEconomicEmpowerment #WomenLobbyandAdvocacy #WomenInclusion #SIDA We Effect Mwape Kalamba-Phiri Vincent Siakwale Vincent Siakwale mercy chitambala Albert Mutasa

50

5 Comments

I was invited by Prof Bheki Moyo who leads the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment - CAPSI to share some of my thoughts on why (South) African #philanthropy needs to mainstream #climatechange into their impact strategies, and how they can do so while deepening (rather than changing) their priorities. Our biggest climate risks are not just about the weather "out there," but about material challenges like food security, health and education outcomes, economic security and sustainability, mobility and migration, good governance and accountability...you get my point...

19

1 Comment

As the Digital Public Infrastructure #DPI conversation evolves, it's critical to focus on how this push can result in better-targeted, more effective services for people. Just as you wouldn't ask a government to build a road without thinking about who will be able to use it, where they'll be able to go, or what goods/services will be transported, asking already-stretched governments to think of technology as infrastructure requires us to think about benefits, including sectoral applications. This brief gives some terrific examples of how this is being done in practice. cc Aniket Bhushan Jordan Sandman Howard Lakougna Christine Kim Aura Cifuentes

15

MAKING EVERY DOLLAR COUNT! How do we ensure that every dollar, every effort, truly amplifies entrepreneurial potential across (East) Africa? This latest report reveals key gaps and opportunities for donor coherence in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda. The findings are clear: More collaboration, better transparency, and local alignment are crucial for impactful change. Imagine an (East) Africa where resources don’t just flow - they transform. Dive into the insights: https://lnkd.in/dC9TRM6G Biruk Yosef Zenebe Nebiyou Yirga Wolde Mary Mwangi Adolfo Cires Judith Verkerk Bas Gadiot Gert van Veldhuisen Devin Chesney Victor Otieno Agolla Patrick Obonyo Msc, MBA Erik Parigger Amma Lartey Grace Wanjiru

18

5 Comments

On behalf of WOPCAA, we are committed to creating change by empowering women to take action in climate change. #Regenerativeagriculture #Agroeconomy #cimatechange

3

Happy International day for rural women✨ Today, on International Day for Rural Women, we honor the incredible strength, leadership, and resilience of rural women who are transforming communities and driving change from the ground up. At Positive Life Kenya, we are privileged to work alongside these women—mothers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers—who are breaking barriers and building brighter futures for their families and beyond. Through our programs at Kiotani School and Faraja House, we’ve seen how empowered rural women turn challenges into opportunities. Whether through tailoring, cosmetology, or entrepreneurship training, they are becoming economic pillars and community leaders. These women are not just caretakers—they are trailblazers, creating sustainable solutions for food security, education, and economic growth. Rural women are at the heart of building resilient communities and advancing sustainable development. Today, we celebrate their indomitable spirit and reaffirm our commitment to supporting their journeys of empowerment. When rural women thrive, entire communities thrive. Let’s continue to amplify their voices, recognize their contributions, and invest in their potential to create lasting change. 💪🌍 #InternationalDayForRuralWomen #PositiveLifeKenya #EmpowerRuralWomen #WomenInLeadership #Resilience #SustainableDevelopment

1

READ 📰: VisionFund Empowers Communities Through Savings Groups: Building Financial, Human, and Social Capital for Resilience. Independent studies from impact research firm 60 Decibels reveal how VisionFund's FAST (Finance Accelerating Savings group Transformation) programme is empowering over 10,500 groups across 9 African countries. ✅ See how these grassroots initiatives are fostering resilience and leadership, especially among women.  ➡ Read the full summary report authored by Lisa Kuhn, Inclusive Finance director for VisionFund: https://bit.ly/3LFGR3C #FinancialInclusion #SavingsGroupLinkages #EmpoweringCommunities

50

6 Comments

The outlook for West Africa is alarming. If no action is taken, millions of people will face hunger during the lean season - the time between harvests - from June till August. I’m extremely concerned about the rising levels of hunger and unacceptably high malnutrition levels in children under five: in parts of the Sahel, acute malnutrition rates are expected to reach ​​critical levels of over 15% during the imminent lean season - this is more than one in six children! The International Rescue Committee’s work in the region is more vital than ever to support communities to ensure their most basic survival needs are met and no child dies of hunger! The International Rescue Committee joins more than a dozen of organizations working in the region to sound the alarm and to accelerate action to provide crucial support for the communities we serve. Read the analysis here: https://lnkd.in/dDjTd9xw

25

3 Comments

Join me and others on this webinar to learn more about what's happening in some of Kenya's communities! Bridging the Gap Africa https://buff.ly/3YdxaPQ

3

All the latest developments from Nexleaf Analytics!

7

What if the way we measure success is rooted in the very systems we're trying to dismantle? It's time to question whose lens we’re using in Monitoring and Evaluation. Decolonising Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is a transformative approach that seeks to critically examine the conventional methods we utilise to gauge the success of projects, especially in areas marked by colonial legacies. Read this insightful document on practical ways you can contribute to the decolonisation of M&E. 🛎 Hit that 'Follow' button so you are notified as I drop similar content If you missed the webinar on decolonisation you can join the M&E Academy and gain exclusive access: 👉🏾 To the full recording 👉🏾 Resource materials on decolonisation 🔥Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/epqEsMF6 🔥 #decolonisation

131

10 Comments

Hopefully; all things being equal, especially noting the typically slow uptake by #African #governments on the extremely resourceful initiatives being churned out by the African Development Bank Group at a blistering pace. It might be that the Bank may want to go a step further by deploying dedicated #economic #process #facilitation #accelerators, in partnership with private sector stakeholders across-the-board, going forward. https://lnkd.in/dQxEMgmx

6

1 Comment

Unlocking the Power of the Private Sector for Africa's Food Systems Transformation! Greetings from Kigali, at the AFS Forum! We’ve just launched the Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR) for 2024. https://lnkd.in/drv2ki3F We’ve looked at what the private sector can do to revolutionize the food landscape in Africa? 🌍 Let's dive into some exciting insights from the AASR 2024! 1. The Backbone of Africa's Food Economy: MSMEs Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the unsung heroes of Africa's food systems. They handle a whopping 85% of the food volume in Africa's agri-food value chains (AVCs)! From farm inputs to retail, these dynamic businesses are everywhere, driving economic growth and feeding a billion people. 2. The Hidden Middle is NOT Missing! Contrary to popular belief, the "missing middle" of African agrifood systems isn't missing—it's just hidden. MSMEs are growing rapidly, fueled by entrepreneurial spirit and a demand-driven market. They're not just filling gaps; they're creating a robust, dynamic network that's vital for food security. These are African companies. Multinational companies are of course there and important, but MSMEs are where the action is. 3. Urbanization and Diet Change – The Twin Engines of Growth Urbanization and changing diets have spurred the rise of MSMEs across Africa. Cities are expanding, and so are their food needs. This shift has led to the growth of longer and more sophisticated supply chains, benefiting wholesalers, processors, and logistics providers. The result? A more connected, resilient food system that's better equipped to serve both urban and rural markets. 4. Opportunities and Challenges – Two Sides of the Same Coin While MSMEs are thriving, they face significant challenges. Inadequate infrastructure, high transaction costs, and limited access to finance are just a few hurdles. But with the right policies and investments in infrastructure (think roads, electricity, water), these enterprises could soar even higher. 5. Finance is a key limiting factor for MSMEs – but there are solutions. Ag and food are historically under-financed across the continent, especially in formal lending. Lenders and investors think risks are too high, and returns too low. Blended finance can be at least a partial solution, but evidence shows that the government has multiple ways to enable and drive financing. 6. Accelerating the private sector’s investments and sustainability. The private sector's potential to transform Africa's food systems is immense. To unlock this potential, we need to foster partnerships, invest in essential infrastructure, and create an enabling environment for MSMEs to flourish. Let’s give the private sector a lift – and let them get on with what they do best! Please read the report, and would love to hear your views! 👇

36

2 Comments