Press Release
August 11, 2025 • 3 min read
At GOAL, we know that strong partnerships start with strong local organisations. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are often the first to respond in times of crisis and the most connected to their communities, yet many face barriers when it comes to strengthening their internal systems and structures.
In 2024, the Global Partnership Centre (GPC) launched an Organisational Development (OD) Framework and Toolkit to support CSOs in taking the lead on their own growth and development. The approach was simple but powerful: create a partner-led process that allows CSOs to assess themselves honestly, identify priority areas, and build actionable plans for improvement.
Speaking about the rollout of GOAL’s new Organisational Development Framework, Mandy Yamanis, GPC Director, said,
“The framework has been tested over the past year with 11 CSOs in eight countries. The results have been positive, not just in terms of the tools and plans developed, but also in how partners engaged with the process.
Many CSOs appreciated the chance to assess their organisational health in a structured and supportive way. Staff from different departments joined the assessments, leading to more meaningful discussions and a stronger sense of shared responsibility. In some cases, organisations started making changes before external support was offered, such as updating board structures, revising financial policies, introducing safeguarding frameworks, and launching staff performance reviews.”
One partner from a CSO described the experience this way:
“The tool helped us speak honestly about our weaknesses without fear of judgment. It showed us where we want to go.”
Some early takeaways from the pilot include:
- Self-assessment builds engagement and trust: When CSOs drive the process themselves, they are more likely to own the results and act on them.
- Facilitated validation adds rigour and credibility: Having a trained facilitator guide the scoring discussions helps shift thinking, challenge assumptions, and ensure consistency across organisations.
- One size does not fit all: Some partners needed more support in interpreting the framework, particularly in technical areas like compliance or financial management. This reinforces the importance of contextualisation and flexibility.
- Change is already happening: While long-term impact will take time to measure, we’re already seeing signs of meaningful change — from new audit practices in South Sudan to improved HR systems in Uganda and stronger governance practices in several countries.
Focus 1000 Sierra Leone
The OD Toolkit includes a set of adaptable tools, such as a self-assessment guide, scoring rubric, capacity planning template, and progress tracker, all designed to be used by CSOs themselves, with optional facilitation support.
Looking ahead, the GPC will work closely with CSO partners to identify and prioritise the areas that need to be strengthened. Together, we will agree on how the GPC can provide tailored support, including access to small-scale funding, as part of our Organisational Development Initiative, kindly funded by Irish Aid. This next phase is focused on action: helping partners implement their plans in a way that is responsive, sustainable, and aligned with their unique context and goals.
GOAL plans to continue expanding and refining the use of the OD Framework as part of our broader localisation strategy. We are consolidating lessons from the pilot, developing facilitator training materials, and embedding the toolkit into partnership cycles such as onboarding and mid-term reviews. Follow-up assessments are planned six–12 months after initial implementation to track progress and support long-term change.
By placing leadership in the hands of CSOs, the OD Framework helps to shift power, build trust, and support more equitable partnerships. It’s not just about improving systems; it’s about changing the way we work together.
This is just the beginning. We’re excited to deepen our learning alongside our partners, and to continue building strong, resilient, and locally owned systems that last.
Editor’s note
GOAL’s Global Partnership Centre (GPC) is a cornerstone initiative aimed at fortifying GOAL’s Partnership portfolio and steadfast dedication to the localisation agenda. Established in mid-2023 with generous support from Irish Aid, the centre marks a pivotal milestone in our journey. By recognising the critical role that local actors play in leading locally driven humanitarian initiatives, GOAL is helping to foster sustainable, systemic change.
Please visit https://www.goalglobal.org/global-partnership-centre/
