In the ever-evolving landscape of governance and civil society, building resilience, fostering collaboration, and leveraging creative strategies are essential to creating lasting change. At Thoughts and Mace Advisory our thought process is that there is an interplay of actions between third sector institutions, governments, private sector, and citizens. We believe that the primary responsibility for providing good governance rests with the Government. A free and thriving civic space is central in supporting the government and holding it accountable to its obligations. 

Consequently, If we generate knowledge, improve skills, facilitate spaces for comparative learning for third-sector institutions and enhance their collaboration with government and private sector, then the ecosystem’s effectiveness will be enhanced, and citizens’ quality of lives will be improved. With this in mind, we hosted three impactful events over the past months, each designed to empower Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and amplify the voices driving transformation in Nigeria. Here’s a detailed look at these events and their significance.

1. Civil Society Resilience and Sustainability Training-CSORST  (October 1st–5th, 2024, Enugu)

In today’s fast-changing world, CSOs face mounting challenges, from limited funding to increasing operational complexities. Recognizing this, we organized the Civil Society Resilience and Sustainability Training, a five-day intensive workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of CSO leaders in partnership with BudgIT and with support from the MacArthur Foundation 

Participants from diverse organizations gathered to learn cutting-edge strategies in three key areas, Fundraising, Effective Networking, and Technology for Good.

Key Takeaways from CSORST 2:

• Strategies for Sustainable Funding and Organizational Growth: To achieve long-term financial sustainability, organizations must diversify their funding sources and strategically integrate fundraising into their operations. This includes establishing a dedicated business development team while ensuring all staff contribute to fundraising efforts. Maintaining visibility through compelling storytelling and effective networking helps build a strong brand that attracts donors. Developing a robust funding pipeline, nurturing strategic donor relationships, and having pre-prepared concept notes enable quick responses to funding opportunities. Additionally, leveraging social media and crafting impactful proposals can showcase the organization’s value, while cautious investment strategies provide steady revenue streams to support sustainability.
• Key Principles for Effective Networking and Advocacy: Building genuine relationships based on trust and delivering on promises are fundamental to successful networking. Engaging stakeholders from diverse sectors enriches collaboration, offering varied perspectives and resources. To maximize impact, networking efforts should align strategically with organizational goals, ensuring relevance and efficiency. Collaborative advocacy through partnerships amplifies messaging and strengthens campaigns. Finally, leveraging data-driven approaches enhances credibility and allows organizations to adapt strategies effectively in dynamic environments.
• Harnessing Technology: One of the core lessons from the training was the transformative potential of AI when used with detailed, specific prompts. Participants learned that providing clear context and instructions significantly improves the relevance and accuracy of AI-generated outputs, particularly in complex tasks like writing fundraising appeals, grant proposals, and creating project budgets. Ultimately, the training underscored the need for a balanced approach, combining AI’s efficiency with human oversight to ensure responsible and impactful use.

2. Lagos Soft Launch in Partnership with Tasck

The Lagos launch, held on October 8 at the Ford Foundation office on Banana Island, was a unique blend of civil society and creative industry, strategically designed to inspire Nigeria’s young and dynamic influencers. This soft launch engaged young people, creatives in art, music, and social media, and centered around influencing change through collaboration. This event aimed to forge connections between civil society actors and the creative sector to cultivate innovative approaches to civic engagement. A fireside chat on the theme of creative influence highlighted the potential of artistic and social media platforms to drive awareness and foster meaningful change. The collaboration with Tasck exemplified Thoughts and Mace’s vision to mobilize youth creativity as a potent force in Nigeria’s journey towards better governance and societal accountability.

Key Takeaway.

The future of advocacy lies at the intersection of data-driven strategies and emotionally resonant storytelling. This synergy is crucial in engaging a broader audience and sustaining the momentum for change.

3. Abuja Book Launch of “It is imPOSSIBLE: Influencing Change in Nigeria”

Held on October 14 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center, this launch brought together leaders, activists, and advocates to explore the themes of “It is imPOSSIBLE: Influencing Change in Nigeria” by Udo Jude Ilo. This book highlights the tireless efforts of civil society, activists, and progressive leaders who continue to push for societal change in Nigeria. The Abuja launch offered a platform to explore the book’s central thesis—that even the smallest, seemingly impossible efforts can ignite significant change over time. The event featured: A stirring keynote address, highlighting how incremental progress builds resilience in the face of systemic challenges. An intergenerational panel of distinguished speakers shared their experiences in advocacy and governance, tying their stories to the book’s powerful message.

“It Is impossible: influencing change in Nigeria” is more than just a book; it’s a guide for anyone invested in social justice and advocacy. Available now on our website, it has already begun to spark conversations across Nigeria and Africa about the potential of grassroots interventions to catalyze large-scale reform.

Why These Events Matter

These three events highlight our commitment to ensuring the third sector thrives in its delivery of governance with the right tools and approach for sustainability and resilience in the ever evolving sector.

From capacity-building workshops to thought-provoking book launches, each event has and continues to play a role in shaping the civil society landscape. We are proud to have fostered dialogue, encouraged collaboration, and provided resources to organizations and individuals dedicated to making a difference,Let us together move forward with the conviction that change is not just possible, but inevitable when we dare to imagine it and work to make it a reality; whether we are activists, policymakers, civil society leaders, or simply individuals who care about the future of our country. Let us keep pushing for the Nigeria we envision, one where governance truly serves the people. Through collaboration and collective effort, we can see change, and though it may take time, it will be worth it.

Future Plans
As we reflect on the success of these events, we are more committed than ever to our mission of ensuring that governance in Nigeria, Africa and beyond reflects the best interest of citizens and ordinary people. We are focused on supporting third sector institutions to serve their beneficiaries better and also address policy and legislative frameworks that undermine the civic space and democratic practices i.e Empowering change-makers. We invite you to join us on this journey—whether by participating in our future programs, collaborating with us, or simply picking up a copy of “It Is imPOSSIBLE: influencing change in Nigeria” HERE.