Our Approach
The NGO Support Initiative (NSI) was established by the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) to help Nigerian civil society organisations remain operational despite sudden funding disruptions. As thousands of NGOs were forced to halt essential activities beginning in 2025 due to major funding cuts, NSI stepped in with rapid, structured support that not only fills urgent financial gaps but also strengthens organisational capacity, ensures accountability, and maintains continuity of critical community services.
NSI’s approach goes beyond identifying programmes at risk. It provides targeted funding of up to ₦5 million per grant, delivered alongside a mandatory four‑module training programme covering project management, evidence‑informed advocacy, financial accountability, compliance, and social behavioural change communication—ensuring that supported organisations can manage resources responsibly and deliver measurable results. High‑performing grantees are further recommended to social impact investors for sustainability and scale‑up.
Why Our Approach Matters
The rapid withdrawal of donor funding often leads to the immediate suspension of community programmes, loss of staff, and erosion of trust between NGOs and the populations they serve. This disruption disproportionately affects women‑led, grassroots, and community‑based organisations—even when their interventions are effective and urgently needed. NSI addresses this systemic vulnerability by assessing needs, stabilising operations, and ensuring that work benefiting women and girls, especially in health, education, livelihoods, and social justice, does not collapse under financial shock.
At the same time, donors require transparency, credible oversight, and evidence that funds will produce real outcomes. NSI bridges this gap by combining rigorous vetting with hands‑on implementation support and structured accountability mechanisms.
How We Work
- Identifying High‑Impact Programmes at Risk
NSI identifies NGO programmes threatened by sudden funding cuts. These include initiatives in gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, school safety, women’s health, gender‑based violence prevention, digital skills, climate resilience, and other community‑rooted interventions. Organisations are sourced through referrals, direct engagement, and open calls for applications.
- Screening and Vetting
All programmes undergo structured screening to verify their credibility, previous implementation, organisational capacity, and clarity of funding needs. NSI’s application criteria require proof of previously approved but cancelled activities, updated work plans, and monitoring frameworks—ensuring only viable, community‑responsive programmes move forward.
- Fund Disbursement with Clear Conditions
Approved NGOs receive direct grants aligned with agreed budgets and timelines. NSI caps awards at ₦5 million and ties disbursement to deliverables and implementation milestones, helping NGOs maintain momentum while protecting donor resources.
- Implementation Support and Mentorship
NSI’s support extends beyond financing. Each grantee participates in a structured capacity‑building programme that strengthens financial accountability, project delivery, evidence‑informed advocacy, and behavioural change communication. This hands‑on mentorship equips organisations to navigate challenges and improve documentation, reporting, and overall programme quality.
- Monitoring, Accountability, and Learning
NSI closely tracks funded activities through progress updates, financial reporting, and implementation check‑ins. This promotes learning, protects donor investments, and ensures that organisations remain accountable for results—particularly in sectors benefiting women and girls.
- Curating the Impact Projects List
Programmes that meet NSI’s standards are publicly showcased to donors, increasing visibility and enabling direct support for ready‑to‑implement, community‑driven initiatives. These listings highlight target populations, funding needs, expected outcomes, and risks of inaction. (You may link this to your own Impact Projects page.)
A Living, Responsive Platform
NSI is designed to evolve with the needs of Nigerian civil society. As new disruptions occur or projects are stabilised, the initiative updates its roster of supported organisations and funding gaps—ensuring donors always have access to relevant, timely, and credible opportunities for impact.
Transparency and Stewardship
Hosted by dRPC—an organisation with decades of experience in evidence‑based programming, policy engagement, and institutional strengthening—NSI emphasises responsible fund stewardship, strong accountability systems, and local leadership. Its model prioritises long‑term resilience, ensuring community programmes continue to serve women, girls, and marginalised groups even in times of uncertainty.