Coalition of Registered Civil Society organisations in Ebonyi State have held their 2025 annual CSOs Week with a call on active CSOs to build trust and sustainability plan for the growth and development of their organisations.
Delivering the keynote address which centerd on the theme: “Building CSOs Sustainability; Responding to Funding Shift,” Dr. Ibia Azu Agwu, a consultant with the National Health Insurance Agency, challenged CSOs to embrace innovation, agility, and bold collaboration, noting that sustainability will favor organizations that learn fast, adapt quickly, and work collectively.
Other Experts who spoke at the summit including Dr. Stephen Odoh, Dr. Hillary Nweli among others tasked CSOs to leverage on local partners and technology to build stronger partnerships that can sustain their operations outside foreign funders.
Earlier In her welcome address, the Co-chair of Ebonyi State Coalition of Civil Society organisations, (EB-CSOs), Mrs. Ugo Nnachi welcomed members and participants at the annual summit, stressing that collaboration has become the strongest currency in an era where the funding terrain is shifting faster than ever.
Mrs. Nnachi noted that traditional donor streams are shrinking, while new opportunities demand innovation, accountability and resilience to remain relevant.
“Across Nigeria and globally, civil society organisations are facing unprecedented funding challenges. Traditional donor streams are shrinking, while new opportunities demand innovation, accountability, and resilience. To remain effective, CSOs must not only adapt but also build sustainable structures that can withstand these shifts.
“This conference is therefore convened to highlight the role of civil society organisations in navigating these realities, and to strengthen collaboration between government, international agencies, CSOs, and communities.
We seek to position CSOs as partners with government in delivering public good, while remaining vigilant as watchdogs to identify service gaps. Sustainability requires diversifying funding sources, strengthening internal governance and transparency, building partnerships that endure beyond donor cycles, investing in local ownership and community-driven solutions.
“CSOs have already made enormous contributions in health, democracy, governance, and conflict resolution. In 2025, our challenge is to sustain and scale these impacts despite funding shifts. We have invited development partners to share lessons that will help us build resilient organisations. This is the time to work together toward goals that benefit everyone.”
The co-Chair emphasized that the summit was an opportunity to network and share ideas on innovative ways of engaging international organisations.
“This conference offers a rare opportunity for deep conversations, networking, and shared learning. It will also help us explore innovative ways of engaging with international organisations and leveraging local resources. It is also pertinent to note that this summit coincides with this year’s 16-days of activism on the theme: “United to End Digital Violence against all Women and Girls”. Various organizations will be working and speaking in their area of interest. I therefore urge everyone to participate actively and get our voices heard” she concluded.
Coalition members who spoke to journalists including Mrs Lorieth Nwafor, Barr Uchenna Nwose, Chief Ewa Eleri, Mrs. Margaret Nworie and the representative of C-Sagas Charity Foundation, Mr. Francis Nwoba, reaffirmed their commitment to inclusive and community development through collaborative efforts. They thanked the leadership of the coalition for bringing CSOs together for the summit, which they said was very impactful.
In his closing remarks, the second Co-Chair of the coalition, Dr. Kelechi Okezie who spoke through Mrs. Ugo Nnachi thanked all the participants for their active presence and encouraged members to stay connected, emphasizing that the coalition thrives on shared commitment, empowerment, and empathy.
The summit which commenced with a road walk on 25th November 2025 also featured panel discussion, networking session and group photograph.