Project Details.

TRDP implemented the CSO Bridge program in the district Hyderabad. The CSO BRIDGE program was implemented by a consortium led by Welthungerhilfe WHH (“consortium lead”) in partnership with Concern Worldwide in Sindh and Punjab. WHH has designed the program in collaboration with Concern Worldwide, an Irish INGO and a fellow member of the European Alliance 2015 network; the Thardeep Rural Development Program (TRDP) in Hyderabad; the Farmer Development Organization (FDO) in Multan; and the Lodhran Pilot Project (LPP) in Bahawalpur. The European Union funds the CSO BRIDGE project (EU) to strengthen civil society by addressing social and economic challenges and increasing the voice of youth in Pakistan in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The program put civil society organizations (CSOs) at the core of community preparedness on the impact of COVID-19 on youth’s economic empowerment and improved local governance in the targeted districts where the livelihood of semi-urban communities had been adversely affected by COVID-19. The overall objective of the action was to minimize the socio-economic vulnerabilities of communities, especially youth in Multan, Bahawalpur, and Hyderabad, by putting in place the role of effective civil society, improved public services, and an economically empowered target group during and after COVID-19 in the targeted districts. 

Following are the major expected outputs of the program. 

Mobilization and the technical capacities of local CSOs are strengthened. 

CSOs and local authorities reached a higher level of collaboration, cooperation, know-how, and transparency. CSO is able to support youth, especially females, people with disabilities, transgender people, and other minority target groups across selected trades. 

HCPL conducted thorough capacity need assessments (CNA) for CSOs, leading to the development of precise capacity development plans (CDP) for each organization. These plans were meticulously tailored to address the unique requirements of each CSO. Subsequently, HCPL conducted a series of orientation and training and trainers meticulously tailored to address the unique requirements of each CSO. of Trainers (TOT) sessions, covering various crucial aspects of CSO development, including; Laws and rules for CSOs (record keeping, organizational policies, bylaws, roles, and responsibilities) (20 participants, 20 CSOs x 3 days) Relevant government laws (basic human rights, right to information (RTI), right to services (RTS), right to food (RTF), local government and public grievances, and available redressal forums) (20 participants x 20 CSOs x 3 days) Project cycle management, project designing, implementation, and community-led monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. Participatory Needs Assessment and Prioritization Grants, financial management, and evidence generation. (20 participants’ x 20 CSOs x 5 days). Stakeholder engagement and advocacy skills and monitoring and feedback techniques for Tehsil action groups. (20 participant’s x 20 CSO x 3 days).