SYPALA: When CSOs suffer, democracy suffers – WACSI

‎By: Godbless Asaana
‎The head of Capacity Development of the West Africa Civil Society Institution (WACSI), Charles Kojo Vandyck, said Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) must diversify their funding sources and relationships to remain sustainable and effective in promoting democracy and accountable governance in Africa.
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‎Speaking at the 12th edition of the Students & Young Professionals African Liberty Academy (SYPALA 2026), organised by the IMANI Center for Policy and Education at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Vandyck said CSOs must find innovative ways to generate resources from their expertise and other assets.
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‎He said organisations should explore how to monetise their expertise, research capabilities, networks, facilities and intellectual property to strengthen their financial sustainability.
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‎“When CSOs suffer, democracy suffers,” Vandyck said, stressing the important role civil society plays in promoting accountability, human rights, civic participation and democratic governance.
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‎He urged African CSOs to rethink their funding models and seek alternative sources of income.
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‎“We should diversify our money,” he said.
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‎“We cannot depend on donors. We need to diversify and look at alternative funding sources so that we can sustain and become more sustainable.”
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‎According to him, the heavy dependence on donor funding has left many civil society organisations vulnerable, making diversification necessary for their long-term survival.
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‎“Right now we are very vulnerable,” he said.
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‎Vandyck also called on CSOs to broaden their relationships beyond donors and strengthen their engagement with the communities and people they represent.
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‎“We should diversify our relationships,” he said.
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‎“We spend a lot of time relating to donors, building relationships with donors. We need to build and strengthen our relationships with the communities and people we see and represent,” she added.
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‎Vandyck further encouraged CSOs to invest more in unrestricted or flexible funding, which he said gives organisations greater capacity to respond to emerging needs beyond specific project activities.
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‎“We need to invest more in unrestricted income,” he said.
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‎“Because I always tell colleagues in the CSO space, restricted money is for project activity; unrestricted money or flexible money can help you,” he added.
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‎Vandyck made the remarks during a session on “What is the State of Civil Society in Africa? How are non-state actors, NGOs coping with steep cuts in international development aid, conflicts and intrusive governments?”
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‎The session examined the changing landscape of African civil society and the pressures confronting organisations working to advance development, accountability, human rights and civic participation.
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‎SYPALA 2026 is currently taking place from August 24 to 27, 2026, at UPSA, bringing together students and young professionals to discuss issues affecting Africa’s governance, development and democratic future.