At Blumont, we know that lasting change hinges on the active participation of local organizations. We are committed to strengthening the capacity of those with unique access to the communities we support and learning from them along the way.
Along with fostering equitable partnerships with local civil society organizations, we create training and mentorship opportunities so these groups can be equipped to work with government and international donors.
In Colombia and Iraq, two countries where we have worked for decades, we recently hosted training sessions for local civil society organizations looking to expand their management capacities. From proposal writing tips to reporting compliance training, Blumont staff provided participating organizations with the resources they need to better support their communities.
Learning, reflection, and organizational growth in Colombia
The Acogida program, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and implemented by Blumont, provides humanitarian assistance to displaced Venezuelans and vulnerable Colombians. By partnering with local organizations in the region, we are better able to respond to the needs of migrants and host communities.
Thirteen civil society organizations participated in the training held in Colombia.
Community representatives from 13 civil society groups from across Colombia—both Venezuelan- and Colombian-led—were invited by our Acogida team to participate in a one-week management training session in Rionegro, Colombia. The workshop covered critical topics such as writing proposals for international funding and project management for successful sustainable development.
“[The training session] provided us with the tools that our organization needs to take that next step forward,” said Deixon Romero. Romero attended the management training as a representative of Asovenquin, a local civil society group that advocates for and provides support services to Venezuelan migrants living in Colombia.
By coming together with organizations from eight different cities across Colombia, participants forged connections with other groups working towards similar goals. “Participants learned solidarity, developed support networks between their organizations, and were able to meet others who are working toward the well-being of their country,” said Juan Palacios, Director of VRS Consult, the organization that led the training.
Video: Get a first-hand look into the training session with this short video from Rostro Caribe, a participating organization that aims to promote cultural and social development in the region through media.
Strengthening organizational capacity in Iraq
For over two decades, Blumont has worked with communities in Iraq to build social cohesion, support minority groups and returnees, and advance livelihoods. By meeting local needs, we are helping Iraqis set a foundation for the future. This includes partnering with Iraqi organizations and civil society groups to work towards their goals.
Civil society organizations operating in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq joined the training.
In Erbil, Iraq, we partnered with the Amal Organization for Relief and Development and the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (DNGO) to host a training session for more than a dozen local civil society groups seeking to enhance practical skills for their community-based work.
Representatives from the participating organizations, which mostly serve the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, developed key skills to help run their organizations more efficiently. Discussions covered financial report writing, overcoming common funding struggles, and aligning organizations’ goals with local government plans.
The workshop ultimately prepared the organizations to meet DNGO’s reporting and compliance requirements for future collaborations. “Together, we aim to build stronger, more capable organizations that can better serve our communities,” said Ahmad Shamasneh, Blumont’s Deputy Country Director in Iraq.
