Venture successfully wrapped up a Fund Raising Capacity Building and Planning Workshop for the civil society organization partners of the Commission on Human Rights - Project Management Division (CHR-PMD) Governance in Justice (GOJUST) II - HR Program last November 13-16, 2024 at Timberland Heights, San Mateo, Rizal.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is an independent National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) established under the 1987 Philippine Constitution. It is mandated to investigate human rights violations against marginalized and vulnerable sectors of society. CHR commits to “deliver prompt, responsive, accessible, and excellent public service for the protection and promotion of human rights in accordance with universal human rights principles and standards.” (Commission on Human Rights, n.d.)
The Governance in Justice II (GOJUST II) Program builds on and continues the work of the previous program that was implemented from April 2016 to September 2020. “GOJUST aims to develop more responsive and accountable justice services in the country, with a particular focus on those who are most vulnerable, including women, LGBTI, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and other excluded groups.” (Indios Bravos Design, 2022). Its fourth component is focused on “strengthening the capacity of National Human Rights Institutions and civil society organizations in promoting accountability and fighting impunity in the face of major human rights violations.” (Commission on Human Rights, n.d.). GOJUST II - HR runs through June 2025 and is co-funded by the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
The workshop brought together 21 civil society organizations (CSOs) from all over the country that are working with a shared vision of equity, sustainability, and dignity for all—especially for marginalized and vulnerable groups.
The workshop was opened with an inspiring welcome from the Commission on Human Rights - Project Management Development Division Director, Mr. Onesimo Cuyco, and GOJUST II - HR Technical Assistance Team Leader, Mr. Robert Francis Garcia who shared the story of “stone soup” to the participants, setting the right motivational tone for the rest of the sessions.
The workshop, facilitated by Venture’s Executive Director, Ms. Pinky Medina, and Deputy Executive Director, Ms. Kiel Fernandez, began with a foundational session on fund raising principles and an overview of the three main sources of non-profit funds. This was followed by sessions on identifying key fund raising roles within their organizations, as well as evaluating existing systems and structures needed to be put in place to ensure readiness for effective fund raising.
The participants then learned the various steps in the fund raising planning process, from determining their fund raising targets aligned with their priority program needs, mapping their potential donors, and matching them with appropriate fund raising strategies. Each input session had a corresponding activity to ensure that each participant really understood the process and could echo the learnings back to their organization.
The FR Capacity Building and Planning Workshop was phase two of a 3-phased program engagement with the CHR-PMD GOJUST II - HR team. The first phase involved conducting an assessment of the different organizations involved on their fund raising capabilities. This phase aided Venture in customizing the workshop sessions, samples, and activities to the participants’ varying contexts. The 3rd phase will include a post-workshop mentoring session to help the participating CSOs refine their workshop outputs and fund raising plans and also help prepare them for an upcoming meeting with potential partners during the International Human Rights Day celebration on December 10.
A heartfelt thank you to the following CSOs for their enthusiastic engagement and dynamic participation:
Active Citizenship Foundation Inc. (ACF)
Active Vista Center, Inc.
Balay Alternative Legal Advocates for Development in Mindanaw, Inc. (BALAOD Mindanaw)
Balay Rehabilitation Center, Inc.
CBCP Caritas Philippines Foundation, Inc.
Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking, Inc. (CYAN)
Commission on Human Rights
DAKILA
Human Rights and People Empowerment Center Inc. (HRPEC)
Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. (HLAF)
In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND)
Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS)
Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
Institute of Politics and Governance (IPG)
Kilos Maralita Federation of Housing & Community Service Cooperatives (KM Fed)
Medical Action Group Inc. (MAG)
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)
Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)
Photojournalists' Center of the Philippines (PCP)
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Youth Philippines, Inc.
Tambayan Center for Children's Rights, Inc,
Our gratitude too to the support from the CHR-PMD, GOJUST II-HR Technical Assistance Team, the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). As Director Cuyco mentioned in his parting remarks, “Strong CSOs mean a strong CHR.”
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Do you also want to help your partner organizations learn how they can diversify their funding sources and thus access more resources to do their missions? Connect with us at venture@venture-asia.org and let us discuss how we can work together to build a more resilient NGO sector.
Happy friend-raising!
References
About Us – Commission on Human Rights, Philippines.” Commission on
Human Rights, Philippines, https://chr.gov.ph/about-us/. Accessed 20 November 2024.
“GoJUST Human Rights Project – Commission on Human Rights, Philippines.”
Commission on Human Rights, Philippines, https://chr.gov.ph/gojusthrp/. Accessed 20 November 2024.
Indios Bravos Design. “Governance in Justice II (GOJUST II) Fact Sheet.” 1
December 2022, https://issuu.com/indiosbravosdesign/docs/unops_gj_factsheet_a4_fa. Accessed 20 November 2024.