Collaborating with civil society organisations (CSOs) is critical to not only help them better serve their constituents, but so that they can in turn contribute to enhancing national development priorities.
That’s according to Didier Trebucq, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. He was speaking during a recently held virtual opening ceremony of a capacity building workshop, hosted by the Ministry of Labour, Social Partnership Relations and the Third Sector and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as he said that CSOs are also crucial actors in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. He suggested that such is the case even more so now, as the world navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, where it is necessary to foster a whole-of-society approach.
His comments came as he said that Barbados must be applauded for its foresight in establishing the Social Justice Committee under the stewardship of the Ministry of Labour, Social Partnership Relations and the Third Sector. Trebucq described the move as “quite unique” and said that it is indicative of Government’s commitment to ensure that no one is left behind.
With that in mind, the United Nations Resident Coordinator turning his attention to the workshop, noted that it was timely and relevant. Trebucq made the point as he maintained that all CSOs have to be fit in order to deliver their mandates with the utmost capacity, and to support the COVID-19 recovery, so as to build back stronger and better. By helping to empower and equip civil society partners with the tools needed, he said they will be able to deliver better with more impactful results.
The UN official went further, stating that it is also important that personnel of CSOs have adequate knowledge of good governance practices. He said this will help them to develop robust strategies with sound governance structures including financial management, as well as allow them to be equipped with the tools they need to mobilise the resources they require to do their jobs.
“Recognising the importance of strengthening the capacity of CSOs, as UN we are bringing together the expertise from two UN agencies as I mentioned – the International Labour Organisation and the United Nations Development Programme to support this workshop on proposal writing, which will be followed in the coming weeks with a governance component,” he added. (JRT)