SAf-CNGO is pleased to have been part of the launch of the revised Civil Society Guide to Regional Economic Communities in Africa, which took place at The Capital Empire, Sandhurst, Sandton, South Africa, from 28-29 November 2023.

📊 The report outlines actions RECs can take within their treaties for enhanced civil society engagement. Notably, the pace of creating new mechanisms is slow, facing resistance from member states.

🌐 Emphasizing civil society’s impact, the report details advocacy for policy change, good governance promotion, and stakeholder interest consideration. CSOs play crucial roles in advocacy, monitoring, capacity building, representation, and public engagement.

🌎 Despite varying influence levels, CSOs face challenges: political constraints, funding limitations, and strained relationships with some governments. In some states, civil society is perceived as a threat rather than a development partner.

🤝 SAf-CNGO remains committed to fostering stronger coordination between civil society and NCPs in the SADC region, seeing it as foundational to operationalizing the SNCs. Our pursuit involves harmonizing the SADC ACP, as informed by the #RISDP2020_2030 for regional integration, aiming at the region’s holistic improvement and better lives for the people of the region.