In September 2024, the Kyaka II Refugee Led Organizations Network (KRLON), in partnership with Infocite Consulting, represented by Ms. Salwa Mukoda, hosted a transformative Capacity Strengthening Workshop for humanitarian leaders, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) operating in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, Uganda. The workshop, held at Kyaka Motel, brought together over 35 leaders from diverse organizations to enhance their leadership, governance, and fundraising capacities.
Workshop Goals
The two-day workshop, conducted on September 5–6, 2024, was aimed at addressing key challenges faced by leaders in refugee and host communities. The goals included:
- Strengthening leadership and governance practices for sustainable organizational management.
- Enhancing understanding of efficient organizational structures tailored to non-profits.
- Equipping participants with practical fundraising skills to secure sustainable funding sources.
Key Training Areas
The workshop covered three essential themes that reflect the foundational pillars of effective humanitarian leadership:
- Leadership and Governance
- Explored leadership styles such as transformational, servant, and situational leadership.
- Addressed governance principles, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and financial oversight.
- Tackled leadership challenges like team alignment, trust-building, and regulatory adaptation.
- Organizational Structures
- Participants reviewed various structures, including hierarchical, flat, and matrix models.
- Discussions highlighted issues like resource constraints, role ambiguity, and resistance to change.
- Practical outcomes included creating organograms and developing clear reporting mechanisms.
- Fundraising for Non-Profits
- Focused on grant writing, digital fundraising, donor navigation, and corporate partnerships.
- Explored donor retention strategies and overcoming challenges like resource limitations and donor fatigue.
- Participants developed individualized fundraising roadmaps for their organizations.
Interactive Sessions and Networking
The workshop incorporated dynamic activities such as group discussions, role-playing, and case studies. Language barriers were addressed through translations into Kiswahili and French, facilitated by KRLON’s CEO, Mr. Esreal Thembo. Networking opportunities during breaks enabled participants to share ideas, experiences, and strategies for collaboration.
Workshop Challenges
Despite its success, the workshop faced several challenges:
- Limited funding, which required some participants to cover their transport and meal costs.
- Language barriers and poor road networks affecting accessibility to the settlement areas.
- Resource constraints for comprehensive training materials.
Recommendations and Way Forward
The workshop concluded with actionable recommendations:
- Build stronger collaborations with NGOs, private sector partners, and international organizations for resource mobilization.
- Provide continuous training on proposal drafting, compliance policies, and concept note writing.
- Encourage inter-organizational collaboration to reduce competition and enhance project implementation.
Conclusion
The workshop underscored the importance of continuous learning and capacity building for leaders of CBOs and RLOs. By fostering collaboration, adopting best practices in governance, and equipping leaders with practical tools, organizations can champion refugee advocacy, drive sustainable development, and improve the livelihoods of refugee and host communities.
KRLON remains committed to empowering grassroots organizations through initiatives like this workshop, ensuring their voices are amplified and their impact sustained.
