A strong and structured civil society is the guarantor of a vibrant democracy and development rooted in the real needs of populations. Since its creation, ICE-FRANCE has supported civil society organizations (CSOs) in their structuring, professionalization, and dialogue with public authorities. We intervene at all stages of the CSOs' life cycle: creation, internal governance, resource mobilization, communication, and advocacy. We also design innovative citizen participation mechanisms that allow communities to be active participants in the decisions that affect them.
Our approach
Structuring and Governance of CSOs
We support associations, federations, and networks in defining their mission, adopting clear statutes, establishing transparent governance mechanisms, and building a strong institutional identity. A well-governed CSO is more credible with donors and more effective in its actions.
Strengthening Advocacy Capacities
Effective advocacy relies on evidence-based data, targeted communication, and strong coalitions. Our experts in communication and public policy train CSOs in advocacy techniques, the production of public policy analyses, and negotiation with decision-makers.
Designing Participatory Mechanisms
We design and facilitate citizen participation mechanisms adapted to African contexts: participatory budgets, community consultations, multi-stakeholder forums, sectoral dialogues. These mechanisms are designed to be inclusive, particularly towards women, youth, and rural populations.
Resource Mobilization and Financial Sustainability
Dependence on external funding is a structural vulnerability of African CSOs. We support them in diversifying their funding sources, building hybrid economic models, and establishing robust financial management systems.
Frequently asked questions
How do you support local organizations without creating dependency?▼
Our approach systematically prioritizes skills transfer over task delegation. We train local trainers, co-create tools with the teams of the CSOs rather than imposing them, and integrate sustainability mechanisms from the project design stage: succession plans, reserve funds, diversification of partners. We measure our success by the organizations' ability to operate autonomously after our intervention ends.
Do you work with local organizations or only with large international NGOs?▼
We mainly work with local organizations and regional African networks. When projects involve international NGOs, we ensure that local CSOs are true partners and not subcontractors. This stance is in line with the commitments of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the principles of aid localization.