Overview
2005-2008

The Sudan Capacity Building Forum (SCBF) was founded in 2005 due to the initiative of particular international NGOs who saw a need for enhanced collaboration amongst themselves and other organizations involved in capacity building. Over the past three years, five SCBF Conferences have been held in Kenya and Sudan. The aim of these meetings has been to create and maintain linkages between various national and international organizations committed to enhancing the capacity of emerging Sudanese civil society and to contributing to the empowerment of Sudanese communities.

The SCBF is the only initiative in Sudan focused on capacity building for local civil society organizations and community-based organizations. The SCBF Conferences provide a forum for these organizations to share their accomplishments, lessons learnt and best practices with a larger audience.

What we know and what we do

Past conference themes have included capacity building as a development approach; how to measure the impact of capacity building work; and how civil society organizations contribute to the realization of the Millennium Development Goals.

This years’ conference focuses on gender and how it is addressed within capacity building work. Sessions will include presentations and discussions on the impact of gender on political participation, income generation, education, and peace building, as well as additional thematic areas.

The SCBF website (www.sudancapacity.org) and newsletter serve as venues for member organizations and participants to gain additional information and enhance their knowledge of existing civil society activities across Sudan.

Juba was selected as this year’s venue due to the presence of a large number of organizations and the desire to secure additional support for this initiative and future activities. It is the intention of SCBF members that Sudanese umbrella organizations and networks also be a significant part of this effort.

Member organizations currently comprising the Capacity Building Forum (CBF) include Caritas Swiss, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Church Ecumenical Action Service (CEAS), Christian Aid, Concern, Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO), International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), International Rescue Committee (IRC), Local Capacities for Peace Project (LCPP), Mercy Corps, Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), OXFAM Novib, and PACT.