The Bege Foundation In collaboration with the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN) on Friday  24th October 2025 held a one-day Organizational Capacity Building Workshop aimed at equipping non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with the knowledge and tools needed to strengthen their institutional systems, enhance documentation, and improve access to donor funding.

The training, held in Jos, focused on key areas such as organizational capacity assessment, identifying capacity needs and objectives, developing effective policies, and ensuring compliance with donor and government requirements.

In his welcome address, the Team Lead of Bege Foundation, Mr. Kenneth Attah, said the workshop was designed to help organizations better understand their internal systems and improve their chances of securing donor support.

“Many organizations struggle to access funding because they lack proper documentation and systems,” Atta explained. “This workshop will help participants strengthen their organizational structures and documentation processes so they can meet donor requirements and successfully attract funding.”

He expressed appreciation to participants for attending despite their busy schedules, adding that the session would be interactive and practical.

“By the end of this training, I believe every participant will return to their organization better equipped to follow due process and meet funding expectations,” he added.

Leading the training, peacebuilder and development expert Mr. Godwin Okoko said the workshop was prompted by the observation that several NGOs in Plateau State often miss out on donor opportunities due to inadequate institutional capacity.

“Over the years, we’ve seen that while Plateau has more than 100 NGOs working in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, many are unable to access donor grants,” Okoko noted. “The problem isn’t the lack of passion — it’s the absence of systems. Donors will not release funds to organizations that don’t have functional structures, policies, or compliance frameworks.”

He explained that the workshop, organized in partnership with the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network, was meant to prepare local organizations for upcoming grant opportunities by helping them understand and meet donor expectations.

“We are building the capacity of NGOs to ensure they have effective organizational systems, operational policies, and compliance with government laws on taxation, labor, and pensions. These are key requirements for any donor grant,” Okoko emphasized.

He added that the training served as both an enlightenment and preparatory platform to ensure that Plateau-based organizations are not left behind when new opportunities arise.

The Chairman of the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network, Mr. Nanmak D. Bali, described the capacity-building workshop as timely and a valuable partnership aimed at strengthening the network’s capacity. He noted that the initiative focuses on sharing knowledge and information that will contribute to the network’s overall growth, emphasizing that such collaboration embodies the true spirit of networking.

Speaking on the long-term impact, Mr. Bali explained that the training would greatly benefit peacebuilding NGOs in Plateau State, especially new and emerging organizations. According to him, the workshop will help these organizations build their internal capacity, improve office structures, and meet the necessary standards for funding opportunities, enabling them to access grants and uphold proper due diligence in their operations.

One of the participants, Ms. Longdi Alexander Yildet, Executive Director of ThinkSHE Aid Foundation, described the session as a major eye-opener for emerging organizations.

“As a young organization, this workshop has shown us the gaps we need to address,” she said. “We’ve learned the importance of developing operational policies, maintaining updated documents, and ensuring that our staff understand and adhere to organizational policies. It’s been an enlightening experience for us and for other participants as well.”

The workshop concluded with a commitment from participating organizations to implement the lessons learned, improve their internal systems, and position themselves for greater collaboration and funding opportunities.