Facilitators:

• Linda Bembatoum, Enterprise Creative (Founder, Third Sector Development Solutions) 
• Bekeme Masade-Olowola, Executive Director, CSR-in-Action 

Resulting from the high preference for developing competency in report, proposal and grant writing, this training was designed to clearly articulate to participants how to put their best foot forward and take advantage of the opportunities they have ample capabilities for.

The training which once again showcased Access Bank’s commitment to CSOs in Nigeria was held on Thursday, 9 June 2016, with the aim to empower CSOs with technical skills to write compelling proposals and enable them to access local and international grants from donors. Also, the training was designed to capture crucial elements of report writing that would emphasise the gaps that these CSOs have made efforts to fill and the attendant benefits.

Considering this, it was crucial that participants be exposed to seasoned professionals in the persons of Bekeme Masade-Olowola, Chief Executive, CSR-in-Action and Linda Bembatoum, Enterprise Creative, Founder, Third Sector Development Solutions, who have unmatched competency in this regard. Obviously delighted by the opportunity, the 54 participants spanning 10 states across Nigeria, identified several matters which are summarised below:

1. CSOs typically do not possess the necessary requirements to access funds. In other words, they are typically not grant-ready, and end up losing out on good opportunities; and,
2. CSOs often face challenges in knowing what information to provide in writing proposals and reports, and often eventually do not present enough information for a favourable response.