By Mama A. Touray
TANGO on Tuesday launched the 2022 Civil Society Organization (CSO) sustainability index report.
The report, launched at TANGO HQ in Fajara, assesses the strength and viability of the CSOsector in 73 countries, including The Gambia.
The index informs CSOs’ role in The Gambia like other countries as each annual edition contains regional reports in countries worldwide, including sub-Saharan Africa.
The CSO Sustainability Index Report describes advances and setbacks in seven dimensions affecting the sustainability of the civil society sector such as legal environment, organizational capacity, financial viability, advocacy, service provision, sectoral infrastructure, and public image.
Speaking at the launch of the report, the Chairperson of TANGO, Mrs. Yadicon NjieEribo, said the sustainability index report provides valuable insights into the current state of CSOs in the country as it highlights both the progress the CSOs made and the challenges theystill face in ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of the sector.
Chairperson Njie continued: “This report is a powerful tool for us to assess the strengths and weaknesses of CSOs in the country by allowing us to identify areas where support and intervention are most needed. It also enables us to learn from each other’s experiences and best practices, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among our diverse communities”.
The CSOs, according to Chairperson Njie, face numerous challenges in an increasingly interconnected world, including shrinking civic space, funding constraints, and increasing hostility toward their work, adding that the collective responsibility is to address these challenges head-on and create an enabling environment for them to thrive.
She gave the reassurance of her office’s commitment to “closely” working with all stakeholders to support and strengthen CSOs in the country to advocate policies that protect and empower civil society, mobilize resources to sustain work and foster an inclusive and participatory environment for their engagement.
The Executive Director of TANGO, Mrs. NdeySireng Bakurin, said TANGO, as an implementing partner, manages a panel of CSO experts, who score sustainability across seven dimensions, adding that after the rigorous editing process led by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), the country reports, including the report, are compiled into regional reports and published.
“This report provides us with a snapshot of the sustainability of civil society organizations and offers a platform for dialogue, collaboration and learning. It enables us to share best practices, exchange ideas and collectively address our challenges. It catalyzes innovation and improvement within our sector,” she recognized.
Madam Bakurin added that the CSOs, as non-profit, non-governmental, and non-partisan organizations that represent and advocate for the interests of citizens, play a crucial role in promoting democracy, transparency, and accountability in governance.
She commended the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for funding “this important” initiative and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (|CNL) for leading the editing process.
