The National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), in partnership with the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (TANGO) under the EU/UNDP GREAT Project, has launched a two-day Capacity Building Training on Lobbying and Advocacy in Wassu, Central River Region North.
Held under the theme “Empowering Voices: Strategic Advocacy for Local Impact”, the training builds on last year’s success and responds to growing demand for stronger civic engagement at the grassroots level. Participants included representatives from civil society and community-based organisations, media practitioners, marginalised groups, and decentralisation structures.
The program aims to equip participants with practical skills to: Articulate community concerns, engage relevant stakeholders, build strategic alliances, Use credible evidence, Influence policy and decision-making.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Ansumana Ceesay, Programme Manager at NCCE, stressed that effective advocacy is not just about raising voices but about strategy. “Evidence gives advocacy credibility. Communication gives advocacy a voice. Alliances give advocacy strength. And strategic action turns advocacy into change,” he said.
Mr. Ebrima Kinteh, Principal Regional Administrative Officer for CRR and URR at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), commended NCCE and TANGO for sustaining the initiative. He noted that the training strengthens communities’ capacity to claim their rights and hold duty-bearers accountable, adding that human rights must remain central to all advocacy efforts.
Honourable Sori Darboe, Councillor for Banni Ward representing Kuntaur Area Council, expressed gratitude to NCCE for continuing the activity. “This training is very important to taxpayers. It gives them the skills and knowledge to hold their leaders accountable and to lobby and advocate on issues for the betterment of their lives and communities,” he remarked.
Participants were encouraged to place affected communities at the heart of advocacy, ensuring that their voices and experiences directly inform solutions and decisions that impact their lives
