How a little can go a long way: Celebrating the successes of the Small Grants Program

Last month our Small Grants Program came to a close. This was an innovative approach launched by the Right2Grow Global Mutual Capacity Development team (MCD) and managed by a local partner AJCAD from Mali, to strengthen the organizational capacities of local partners.

With a maximum grant of €5000, 7 local partners from 6 program countries had the opportunity to implement micro projects that would improve their organizational sustainability and impact of their efforts, alongside receiving technical support from the MCD team. The proposed activities encompassed a diverse range of initiatives, including the development of new organizational strategies to enhance management approaches, alongside using the financial support for the procurement of new software and equipment to bolster advocacy initiatives. Below we celebrate two of the participating initiatives.

Touch the Heart Uganda

Earlier this year, we celebrated Touch the Heart Uganda gaining the legal recognition as a registered NGO thanks to the Small Grants Program.

Initially operating as a Community-Based Organization (CBO), Touch the Heart Uganda faced inherent limitations that hindered their ability to effectively carry out their mission.

Beyond their impressive step to legal recognition as an NGO, the grant has provided the organization with essential office equipment, enabling them to execute their activities with enhanced efficiency. This newfound capability has empowered the organization to extend its reach even to remote areas, where operational challenges were previously encountered.

Moreover, the grant has facilitated the development of crucial policies within the organization, instilling confidence and equipping them to pursue larger opportunities for funding and collaboration. Ian Kikomeko , the Team Leader, emphasized the significance of these policies:

"The new policies now give us a sense of direction which enables us mitigate possible risks that might arise during the implementation process"

With renewed capabilities and confidence, Touch the Heart Uganda is poised to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they interact with, thanks to the support of Right2Grow.

AMR, Burkina Faso

Association Monde Rural (AMR) in Burkina Faso is a well-established NGO focusing on sustainable food systems, gender justice, local governance and emergency humanitarian aid. However, they faced significant challenges when it came to maximizing the efficiency of their work.

With the implementation of the Small Grant Program, they secured vital resources, one being motorbikes, to improve their mobility and visibility within their local community.

With a relatively simple addition to their resources, the AMR team were able to significantly improve their response rate to emergency situations. They are now also able to conduct key advocacy activities more frequently and with a greater diversity of stakeholders, reaching areas that were previously difficult to travel to. The increased visibility, and the ease of organizing meetings has significantly improved the cohesion of the advocacy groups and the organization. An AMR representative stated the following:

"The acquisition of accounting management software and motorbikes through the Right2Grow grant has greatly strengthened the capacity of our organization and advocacy groups to achieve their objectives. This has led to more effective financial management, better mobilization on the ground, increased visibility and impact of advocacy initiatives, and strengthened coordination of community activities. Ultimately, these improvements can make a significant contribution to promoting social cohesion, community development and achieving the objectives of the Right2Grow program."

The journey of both AMR Burkina Faso and Touch the Heart Uganda exemplifies the transformative potential of micro initiatives like the Right2Grow Small Grants Program. By addressing organizational and institutional challenges, such programs not only empower local partners but also pave the way for greater impact and sustainable development in communities they serve.