What is CSBI?
The Civil Society Boost Initiative (CSBI) is RISE’s flagship product for building capacity and engagement with members of the Civil Society Sector in Jamaica. CSBI was first implemented in 2016 and again in 2019 with funding from the European Union (EU) and resulted in the following: Training of 52 CSOs in CSO management strategies; establishment of a CSO Network – Civil Society Network of Jamaica (CSNJ) with current membership of 27 organizations; Sub-granting to a total of eight (8) CSOs to implement projects targeting their population and the Development of a CSO Capacity Building Manual.
CSBI Phase 3 is a 30-month project which builds upon the successful implementation of Phases 1 & 2. Its overall objective is to enable Jamaican Civil Society Organizations to engage as actors of governance and development, contribute more effectively to Vision 2030 and work towards gender equity.
Who can participate in CSBI Phase 3?
CSBI 3 focuses on Civil Society Organizations working in the areas of Youth Empowerment and Gender Equality. A total of 25 agencies (10 youth lead and 15 working in Gender Equality) will benefit from all the training programs of CSBI 3. Previously trained CSOs will participate in three new training workshops.
How will participating CSOs benefit from CSBI 3?
Participating CSOs will benefit from a series of trainings and coaching opportunities aimed at increasing their capacity to operate their agencies with greater efficiency and impact. The following:
| Training Workshop | CSBI 3
Participants |
CSBI 1 & 2
Participants |
| Internal governance/operations of a CSO/CBO | ||
| Succession planning | ||
| Preparing winning proposals & budgets/intro to project cycle management | ||
| Communication, PR, and social media for CSOs | ||
| Financial Management for CSOs | ||
| IT products for efficient CSO Management | ||
| Fundraising and funding diversification | ||
| Monitoring, evaluation and learning | ||
| Disability in development | ||
| Advocacy for government accountability | ||
| Making effective public policy | ||
| Aligning your projects and programmes with Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) |
What are the other components of the CSBI Phase 3?
Financial Support to Third Parties: CSOs will have an opportunity to submit proposals and concept notes for a pool of funding values at JMD 16.5 million. A Call for Proposals and Concepts will be launched and open to CSOs working in youth empowerment and gender equality.
Development of UNUH App: RISE will work with a group of partners to develop a mobile life skills app called “Unuh” young people 13-18 years old on how to use their inner resources to make better life choices and get better outcomes by leveraging Jamaican culture, music, as well as the mind-behaviour change power of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).
Adventure-based training for indigenous maroon youth: RISE will work with a group of indigenous maroon youth to implement the Project Venture Curriculum, an evidence-based youth development program designed by the National Indian Youth Leadership Program in the US for indigenous populations. Project Venture uses outdoor, experiential and nature-based activities to help youth develop a positive self-concept, effective social skills, a community service ethic, resiliency, and increased decision-making and problem-solving skills. PV uses unique group development processes to actively engage youth in a proven and effective method of developing life skills while reinforcing family values and an appreciation for the natural world.