The Power of Partnership: Transforming Local Organisations through the Global Partnership Centre

The Power of Local Partners

Local organisations are key to GOAL’s mission, providing essential support and delivering programmes that are tailored to their communities. To create lasting change, these organisations need the right tools, skills, and resources to overcome the challenges they face. GOAL’s Global Partnership Centre (GPC) plays a vital role in strengthening the capacity of our local partners by fostering strategic partnerships, providing targeted funding, and supporting capacity-building initiatives. 

In 2024, the GPC, with support from Irish Aid, reached new heights through two key initiatives: the Organisational Development Fund (ODF) and Executive Leadership Coaching. Together, these initiatives have not only transformed the way partner organisations operate but have empowered them to drive their own development agendas. By investing in governance, financial management, leadership, and technology, the GPC has helped local organisations build stronger foundations, to ensure their impact is long-lasting. 

Empowering Leadership for a Stronger Future 

Strong leadership and effective management are cornerstones of organisational success. Resilient leaders drive innovation, inspire teams, and keep the organisation firmly aligned with its mission. Recognising this, the GPC has supported the development of local leaders through Executive Leadership Coaching, providing senior leaders with the skills needed to navigate complex decision-making processes and enhance organisational effectiveness. 

An example of the GPC’s successful leadership coaching can be found in their partner organisation in Niger, where the GPC facilitated the participation of the Association Nigérienne pour un Développement Durable (ONG GARKUA) in a leadership workshop. This training, focused on developing leadership mindsets and managerial resilience, equipped the organisation’s permanent secretary with strategies to tackle corporate challenges. The skills learned were shared across the team, enhancing governance and communication, and ultimately leading to stronger project implementation. I 

In Honduras, the ODF was instrumental in identifying and nurturing emerging leaders within the Comité Para la Defensa y Desarrollo de la Flora y Fauna del Golfo de Fonseca (CODDEFFAGOLF). By strengthening community leadership and expanding participation at the sectional level, this initiative not only enhanced local leadership but also fostered peer-to-peer learning, ensuring a sustainable leadership pipeline for years to come. 

In Syria, Al Sham Humanitarian Foundation implemented a Human Resources Management System with the support of ODF funding.

Over six months, the Global Partnership Centre (GPC) ran an Executive Leadership Coaching program in Syria, collaborating with six local partners to enhance leadership capabilities in emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, communication, adaptability, and team building. The programme, involving one-on-one peer learning workshops, significantly improved communication skills, emotional intelligence, and team collaboration among participants from Takaful Al Sham, Al-Sham Foundation, Hand in Hand for Aid and Development, Ihsan Relief and Development, and Syria Relief. Feedback praised the programme’s professionalism, structure, and practical, real-life scenario-based coaching, highlighting its substantial impact on personal and professional development. 

Strengthening Governance and Accountability 

Effective governance ensures that an organisation remains transparent, accountable, and capable of meeting the needs of its beneficiaries. In Honduras, the ODF-supported initiative with CODDEFFAGOLF led to the development of crucial new policies, including safeguarding, ethics, and reporting frameworks. These policies have not only improved transparency and accountability but have also aligned the organisation’s operations with donor requirements, ensuring that funds are used effectively to serve the community. 

In Sierra Leone, the ODF-supported governance improvements at Uman Tok went beyond leadership training. The establishment of a Human Resources Unit and the integration of key policies such as safeguarding and ethical standards have streamlined the organisation’s internal operations, enhancing its ability to manage projects efficiently and maintain compliance with donor regulations. 

Financial Management: A Cornerstone of Sustainability 

Financial management is often the bedrock of organisational sustainability, and the GPC’s support has enabled partners to enhance their financial systems and practices. Through the ODF, organisations in Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Niger received crucial training in financial management tools like QuickBooks Online, empowering them with real-time financial tracking, improved budget forecasting, and more efficient expenditure monitoring. 

Social Enterprise Development, one of the GPC ‘s partner organisation in Sierra Leone.

In Uganda, the Multi-Community Based Development Initiative (MUCOBADI) transitioned from a desktop-based financial system to QuickBooks Online, significantly improving the efficiency of their financial reporting and project budgeting. This transition was accompanied by training for 15 staff members, enhancing their skills and ensuring that MUCOBADI could manage its finances with greater accuracy and accountability. 

Technology: The Bridge to Greater Efficiency 

In today’s fast-paced world, adopting the right technology is essential for organisations to stay competitive and efficient. The GPC has recognised this need and, through the ODF, has introduced Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to enhance the operational efficiency of partner organisations. 

In Syria, the Al-Sham Humanitarian Foundation’s adoption of an ERP system has revolutionised its internal operations, automating key processes like attendance management and recruitment. This has reduced administrative errors and allowed teams to access real-time information, streamlining their workflow and improving decision-making. 

Similarly, in South Sudan, the Agency for Child Relief Aid (ACRA) implemented an ERP system that improved project management, financial oversight, and compliance with donor requirements. By automating key processes, ACRA has become more efficient in resource management and better equipped to adapt to the evolving humanitarian needs in the region. 

GOAL’s partnership organisation, ACRA, in South Sudan.

In Ethiopia, the Beza Posterity Development Organisation (BPDO), successfully implemented the ERP system which has improved organisational growth and efficiency, allowing the organisation to replace out-dated paper processes with a digital platform that enables real-time data sharing and optimises resource utilisation.   

A Lasting Legacy: Building Resilient, Sustainable Organisations 

The long-term impact of the GPC’s support is clear. Partner organisations across Syria, South Sudan, Honduras, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Niger are now stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to lead their communities. Whether it’s through improved leadership, enhanced governance frameworks, better financial management, or the adoption of new technologies, these organisations are better prepared to meet the needs of their beneficiaries and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of development work. 

Through the ODF and GPC partnership, GOAL is helping to create a future where local organisations are at the forefront of change, driving their own development agendas and delivering high-quality services with greater efficiency and transparency. By empowering local organisations, the GPC is ensuring a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future for all. 

Learn more about the Global Partnership Centre