Yen Sore was a CARE Denmark funded programme implemented with four strategic core partners in Ghana including Civic Response. It was in two phases.
The first phase of the Yen sore programme (2013–2017), pioneered a strategic partnership approach of providing core funding to few strategic CSO partners based on their own policy priorities and strategic plans. Core partners recognized that the CARE Denmark support has filled a vital gap in supporting organisational development and capacity building of core partners, which has strengthened their ability to influence the natural resource sector.
The first Yen sore programme thus resulted in enhanced organisational capacity among core partners to empower community engagement with local authorities and companies on their rights and responsibilities. The programme also enhanced the capacity of core partners to collect systematic documentation and establish linkages between community groups and CSO advocacy at the national level. In addition, core partners, including Civic Response, successfully engaged in international policy processes, most notably the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Ghana.
Yen sore II (2018-2021) further strengthened core partners’ capacity to influence government and private companies in the mining, oil & gas and forestry sectors. The programme deepened the focus on rights and access to productive resources and economic opportunities as well as community resilience and adaptation to climate change. The capacity of core partners was also strengthened to systematically collect and document evidence, rights abuses by extractive companies and other power holders.
The overall objective of the programme was to ensure that ‘The rights of vulnerable communities to natural resources essential for their food security and resilient livelihoods, are respected, protected and fulfilled through inclusive and responsible governance of natural resources.’
The programme enabled civil society to provide a legitimate and persuasive voice around mining, oil & gas, forest, and climate change issues to promote the rights and interests of the affected communities. The priority impact group of the programme were poor and vulnerable women and youth in communities that depend on natural resources.
- Well-governed and legitimized CSOs, networks and platforms playing vibrant roles in mobilizing communities and documenting the rights of natural resources dependent communities;
- Strengthened the capacity of partner CSOs to advocate for well-resourced and equitable policies and programmes on community adaptation and resilience to climate change;
- Civil society partners promoted responsible mining through improved regulation and law enforcement characterised by transparency, accountability and sustainability
- Natural resource dependent communities benefit equitably from natural resources, due to stronger enforcement of revenue transparency, tax avoidance and corruption
- Empowered community members, especially women and youth on their rights and give a stronger and more persuasive voice in local decision making on matters affecting their rights and livelihoods;
- Secured access to and control over productive resources (land, water, fisheries and forests) by women and youth and economic opportunities for their sustainable livelihoods and food security;
- Influenced mining, oil & gas and timber companies to become more accountable and responsive to the needs and rights of natural resource dependent communities.
Donors & Partners
- No. 9 Hibiscus Road, East Legon
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P.O. Box LG 1086, Legon,
Accra – Ghana - Tel.: +233 302 521 905
- info@civicresponsegh.org