The Capacity Development Forum is a unique civic platform for Ukraine both in terms of representation and scale designed to enable discussions regarding standards and practices of CSO organizational development and capacity building in Ukraine and beyond its borders. The Forum floor was taken up by master-classes, panel discussions, a grand exhibition-fair and many other activities aimed at bolstering the capacities of non-governmental organizations.

 

Although the theme of organizational development is relatively new for Ukraine, this sector sees dynamic growth and increases in importance as to supporting an independent civil society. The need to dedicate due attention to the priorities of organizational development was emphasized by the UNDP Country Director, Ms. Ricarda Rieger in her welcome address.

 

"Civil society in Ukraine is mature enough to perform their tasks in many areas of civic life. Yet, there are a number of crucial issues that it faces: flaws in democratic and inclusive governance, suboptimal accountability and transparency systems, need for a more responsible leadership and—ultimately—financial sustainability. Addressing these aspects through well-assumed organizational development approaches may help organizations to address internal and external challenges better and to embrace change." – noted Ms. Rieger.

 

 

During the Forum, Democratization, Human Rights and Civil Society Development Project's specialists conducted a master-class on "Moderated self-assessment" and a panel discussion "Organizational Development of Regional CSOs: Key Challenges and Trends".

 

As a result of the vote by the Forum participants, the master-class on moderated self-assessment delivered by UNDP Organizational Development Expert, Mr. Ayder Khalilov, was voted as the best learning event of the Forum that gathered over half a hundred listeners. In the course of the event, not only was the UNDP approach to development of a regional network of regional civil society hubs presented, but also the methodology of organizational assessment for such regional CSOs that the Democratization, Human Rights and Civil Society Development Project was elucidated.

 

 

The panel discussion conducted upon initiative of the Project themed on organizational development gathered over 50 discussants of the Forum, and concentrated on issues of regional CSO institutional capacities and challenges that international organizations supporting OD face alongside the civil society vis-à-vis this theme.

 

UNDP Senior Programme Manager, Ms. Yuliya Shcherbinina, noted: "...special attention is dedicated to regional organizations. We believe that change is possible at that level, and see dynamic and promising trends. If we enable regional organizations, which are already at a certain level of development, to grow institutionally, they will shape themselves as leaders. This success will depend, though, on how well they will be able to hold onto the defined milestones for organizational development, which are to be installed in accordance with their own needs, vision and priorities."