By Shaban Omar
A new programme to help civil society organizations (CSOs) in Kwale County achieve financial sustainability has been launched to effectively dispense their duties.
The initiative comes amid a shrinking civic space as many CSOs face dwindling donor funding, intimidation of human rights defenders and financial challenges that threaten their operations.
Dubbed the Enterprise Development Programme, the initiative is being implemented by Inuka Kenya, Ni Sisi in partnership with the Kwale Civil Society Consortium (KCSC).
Speaking during an engagement forum in Mvindeni, Inuka Kenya Programme Officer Eunice Wanjiko said the programme will equip CSOs and community-based organisations (CBOs) with business skills to establish income-generating ventures and improve their sustainability.
She said the initiative is intended to reduce overreliance on donor funding while enabling organizations to continue delivering essential services to communities.
“Because of their work, many civil society organizations are sidelined, intimidated and face financial constraints. This programme will help them build resilience and become more self-sustaining,” Wanjiko said.
Wanjiko said the changing civic space has made it necessary for CSOs to explore innovative social enterprises that can sustainably finance their advocacy work.
She said an ongoing assessment is identifying viable business opportunities that organizations in Kwale can invest in to strengthen their financial independence while benefiting surrounding communities.
“The survey will help us understand which enterprises are best suited for CSOs in Kwale so they can generate income, reduce dependence on donor funding and continue serving their communities effectively,” she said.
KCSC member Mesalimu Rambo welcomed the initiative, saying it comes at a critical time when human rights defenders and civil society organizations are facing increasing challenges in carrying out their work.
She said many CSOs are often excluded from government development programmes because of their watchdog role and criticism of governance issues.
According to Rambo, the Enterprise Development Programme provides an opportunity for organizations to diversify their income sources and strengthen their financial sustainability.
“Many of us are excluded from government programmes because we do not always share the same views. This initiative gives us an opportunity to generate our own income and continue serving communities without relying entirely on external funding,” she said.
Rambo said the programme would encourage more people to remain in activism by improving their financial stability, noting that the number of rights defenders has been shrinking due to fear of being targeted.
She added that the initiative would also equip activists with skills to achieve financial independence and sustain themselves even after retiring from civic work.
Another beneficiary Abdallah Mambo, described the programme as a timely boost for activists.
He said many activists in the region were on the verge of giving up due to dwindling donor support, fear and financial hardship.
“With donor funding cuts, fear and financial constraints, the civic space has been shrinking because many activists feel they have been left on their own and lack the resources to continue their work,” Mambo said.
He said the entrepreneurship and business development skills offered through the programme would empower CSOs to diversify their income streams and strengthen their long-term sustainability.
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