As part of its commitment to strengthening institutional systems and improving programme sustainability, the Center for the Advancement and Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable People (CAPRIGHTS-VP) successfully conducted a three-day in-house nonprofit capacity-building training at its Lagos office.

The training was implemented under the Organisational Capacity Assessment Tool (OCAT) Capacity Building Plan of the Freedom Fund-supported “Protect Child Domestic Workers from Exploitation” Project. The initiative was designed to strengthen key organisational functions, improve operational effectiveness, and equip staff with practical skills to enhance accountability, programme quality, and long-term sustainability.

The training was facilitated by Oyebisi Oluseyi Babatunde, Executive Director of the Nigerian Network of NGOs (NNNGO), who provided technical guidance and practical learning sessions focused on strengthening civil society organisations.

Day One: Strengthening Governance, Leadership, and Strategic Planning

The first day of the training focused on nonprofit governance, leadership, and strategic planning. The session provided participants with a deeper understanding of the principles and practices required to build strong, accountable, and sustainable nonprofit organisations. Discussions on nonprofit governance highlighted the importance of clearly defined organisational structures, effective policies, accountability mechanisms, and responsible decision-making processes. Participants explored how good governance contributes to transparency, credibility, stakeholder confidence, and effective service delivery. The leadership session focused on developing transformational leadership approaches that inspire teamwork, encourage innovation, and strengthen organisational performance. Participants reflected on leadership responsibilities, team coordination, communication, and creating an organisational culture that supports continuous improvement. The strategic planning session introduced practical approaches to developing effective organisational strategies, including setting clear goals, aligning activities with organisational objectives, identifying priorities, and developing frameworks that support sustainable growth and impact.

Day Two: Strengthening Financial Management, Accountability, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems

The second day focused on strengthening CAPRIGHTS-VP’s financial systems and enhancing programme accountability through effective Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) practices. During the financial management session, participants explored key principles of nonprofit financial management, including financial planning, budgeting, accountability, transparency, compliance, record-keeping, and ethical management of organisational resources. The session emphasised the importance of strong financial systems in promoting donor confidence, ensuring responsible resource utilisation, and supporting effective programme implementation. The MEL session focused on strengthening evidence-based programming. Participants learned about developing logical frameworks, defining clear programme objectives, establishing measurable indicators, tracking results, and using data for decision-making and programme improvement. The session reinforced the importance of generating quality evidence to demonstrate programme outcomes, measure impact, identify learning opportunities, and improve interventions aimed at protecting vulnerable populations.

Day Three: Strengthening Communication, Technology, Fundraising, and Resource Mobilisation

The final day focused on strengthening CAPRIGHTS-VP’s capacity in strategic communication, technology utilisation, fundraising, and resource mobilisation. The session on effective messaging highlighted the importance of communicating organisational impact through clear, compelling, and evidence-based narratives. Participants learned how to develop messages that strengthen advocacy efforts, engage stakeholders, highlight community impact, and improve public understanding of CAPRIGHTS-VP’s work. The technology session explored the role of digital tools in improving nonprofit operations, programme coordination, information management, communication, and organisational efficiency. Participants gained insights into leveraging technology to enhance collaboration and expand programme reach. The fundraising and resource mobilisation session focused on developing sustainable approaches to securing resources for nonprofit programmes. Participants explored donor engagement strategies, partnership development, proposal strengthening, and approaches for building long-term relationships with funding partners to support organisational sustainability.

The three-day capacity-building training provided CAPRIGHTS-VP staff with practical knowledge and tools to strengthen governance, improve financial accountability, enhance programme monitoring, communicate impact effectively, leverage technology, and develop sustainable resource mobilisation approaches. The knowledge gained from the training will contribute to improved organisational systems and stronger implementation of initiatives focused on preventing the exploitation of child domestic workers and protecting the rights of vulnerable people.

CAPRIGHTS-VP appreciates The Freedom Fund for supporting this strategic capacity-building initiative under the OCAT Capacity Building Plan. The organisation also acknowledges the valuable technical support provided by the Nigerian Network of NGOs (NNNGO) through Oyebisi Oluseyi Babatunde, whose expertise contributed significantly to strengthening CAPRIGHTS-VP’s institutional capacity. This investment in organisational development demonstrates the importance of strengthening local civil society organisations with the systems, skills, and resources required to create sustainable change within communities.