The outgoing European Union (EU) envoy to Botswana said the future sustainability of the non state actors is dependent on the implementation of the NGO Policy.
Paul Malin, the EU ambassador to Botswana and SADC, said he was impressed by the work done by the Non Governmental Organisations, but identified future sustainability of funding as a major concern going forward.
“I am very much encouraged by seeing the work being done. They (NGOs) need funding and stronger organisation,” Malin said.
His comments follow the recent awarding of P6.8 million in grants to a group of local organisations through a partnership between the EU and the Botswana government.
The Programme, launched in 2008, is being implemented through two components, namely the Capacity Building and Grant Scheme.
Under the Grant Scheme Component, the programme has supported Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to access funds and implement various projects benefiting community members in different parts of the country.
The award of the grants follows the shortlisting of 14 successful applicants to the Large Grants Call for Proposals 2010 and approval of P6.8 million. It brings the total number of grant projects approved to 78 spread throughout the country.
The first call, which was the Small Grant Call under the programme, was made in 2009.
The grants also show NGOs are largely dependent on external donor funding.
The non-state actors who benefit from the programme include civil society organisations (CSOs) such as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and other non-profit organisations, economic focused organisations, like employer and professional organisations and trade unions, associated networking and umbrella organisations, research institutions and private sector organisations.
The NGO Policy, which was formulated by government and NGOs, spells out the future role that non state actors can play in the socio-economic sphere and, to a large extent, their recognition by government.
It is argued that the creation of enabling environment for the sector is dependent on the implementation of the policy.
“The NGO Policy is not yet been implemented and with (implementation) there will be a better recognition of non state actors,” Malin added.
The non state actors get funding mainly to improve capacity, which has been seen as one impediment to their growth.
But funding has been skewed as most of it comes from external sources with Malin calling for a balance from a wide range of donors that will include the private sector and government.
He, however, revealed there is a shift as some big private companies like De Beers and Debswana have committed funds through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programmes.
“There is a need to recognise that government can not provide alone,” he said, adding that this funding will enable the NGOs to function well and retain staff.
He added that the implementation of the NGO Policy will allow the sector and government to recognise each other.
“Government should give more space and encouragement.”
