For several years, the Danish NGO platform CISU – Civil Society in Development – has been a member of Access2innovation (A2i). The membership is mutual.
Both organizations recognize that we can support each other in areas where approaches and competences complement one another.
“We joined A2i to give our member organizations access to the things Access2innovation is good at,” explains Head of Capacity Development Nicolai Houe from CISU.
“Many of your members are companies active in East Africa, where many of our members are also working through local partners. CISU focus is civil society strengthening. But we also work with economic development. In some cases it will make sense to facilitate access to A2I when interventions need a stronger focus on business development. ”
Nicolai Houe, Head of Capacity Development, CISU.
A fertile ground
CISU’s members are civil society organizations working to strengthen civil society so that local organisations can improve conditions for people in vulnerable contexts. A2i gathers private sector actors, research institutions, and NGOs with a strong focus on business-driven development. This overlap provides fertile ground for collaboration.
“We don’t have companies as members. Our members are civil society organizations, and they focus on strengthening organisations and improving people’s lives,” Nicolai Houe stresses. “So, when it comes to the private sector, you can supplement us—not in terms of buying goods, but by supporting market-oriented activities in partnership with communities.”
An example: Coffee farmers
One concrete example could be coffee farmers organized in cooperatives. CISU helps them strengthen their rights, organize collectively, and achieve better prices together than they could individually.
“The next step could be to start adding value to the beans, maybe with an investor and A2i involved, while ownership remains in the community,” says Nicolai Houe. “That’s an example of where we may add value by coordinating.”
At the same time, CISU acknowledges that collaboration still has untapped potential.
From CISU project in the Tanzanian mountains.
“We need to find methods where your private-sector perspective can add to our activities. The potential for us working together is interesting. Thomas Augustinus from A2i was at CISU in the spring and gave a really good presentation. This was a good inspiration for our members. They are the ones whomust carry it forward.”
Commercial interests can lift people
Nicolai Houe is happy that commercial thinking doesn’t pose a barrier for NGOs:
“It may have been so in the past, but not anymore. As long as it is based on people’s own needs and rights, commercial interests can support distributed growth that lifts people in vulnerable positions.”
About CISU – Civil Society in Development
CISU – Civil Society in Development – is Denmark’s largest member-based platform for organizations engaged in global civil society work. With around 270 member organizations, CISU spans a broad spectrum: from traditional development NGOs and diaspora groups to trade unions, political parties, religious organizations, and youth movements such as the scouts.
What CISU does
Provides a network for Danish civil society organizations to exchange knowledge and experiences.
Offers courses, events, and advisory services on everything from project financial management to organizational development and rights-based, sustainable development.
Manages funding pools that support development and humanitarian projects worldwide. These funds are distributed through an independent granting system.
Works to engage the Danish public in global issues through initiatives such as OpEn – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Information and Engagement Fund.