CSO SOFIA DIAGNOSIS

Local civil society organizations (CSOs) play a vital role in the fight against pandemics such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, as they are often the first to respond to the needs of marginalized and most vulnerable communities. Strengthening these organizations is therefore essential to improving key health indicators and strengthening the health system, particularly in terms of awareness and education, access to quality healthcare, health policy monitoring and advocacy, and disease surveillance. However, associations face major challenges in obtaining technical and financial resources. The Initiative’s Structuring Civil Society Organizations: Financing, Impact, and Support (SOFIA) program therefore aims to support medium-sized local CSOs in order to promote their active participation in the fight against pandemics, the strengthening of health systems, and the fight against gender inequalities and for human rights in health.

After supporting seven organizations in Chad, Benin, and Guinea in their organizational assessment and the development of their capacity-building plans, Solthis will conduct the initial assessment of five CSOs in the Republic of Congo: the Resource and Skills Center for Community Development (CRC), the Association of Positive Youth of Congo (AJP), the Bomoi Association, and the Universal Oath Association (ASU) in Brazzaville, as well as Avenir Positif in Pointe Noire.

This initial assessment is intended to be fairly comprehensive, covering both the organizations themselves and their activities, and incorporating organizational and operational issues. These CSOs work with people living with HIV, particularly key and marginalized populations.

The Republic of Congo faces significant challenges in combating the HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria pandemics. By strengthening these five local CSOs, we are promoting a more inclusive, participatory, and sustainable approach to health that can effectively respond to health challenges while promoting social justice and human rights in line with the Republic of Congo’s National Health Policy (PNS) (2018-2030).

General objective
Support the SOFIA program in conducting an initial assessment (on organizational and operational issues) of civil society organizations in the Republic of Congo that have been pre-selected to participate in the program.

Specific objectives

• SO1: Support the organizations selected by the SOFIA program in identifying their difficulties and capacity-building needs and in setting up the requested grant.
• SO2: Establish a baseline (reference document) to assess the progress of the selected organizations throughout the program.

Expected deliverables

• A framework note including a reverse schedule for the mission
• The diagnostic tool completed for each CSO
• The diagnostic report including an opinion on the advisability of continuing support under the SOFIA program
• The 5-year technical assistance/capacity building plan with the objective of improving and strengthening the skills and capacities of the CSO and its team.