The Voice for Change Partnership (V4CP) project empowers civil society organisations (CSOs) to engage with decisionmakers, and those responsible for implementing decisions, by providing sound arguments and a solid evidence base, backing the proposed changes in their country. Together with other research partners, the project enhances the capacities of CSOs in terms of leadership, the use of evidence and thematic knowledge, advocacy skills, and organizational sustainability. CSOs also gain access to broader research data and lessons learned from other projects, so that this evidence can support their advocacy strategies. As a result, they speak with a greater voice about policy design and implementation and better provision of services, both in the public and private sectors.
The V4CP project team works with more than 50 CSOs in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya and Rwanda; and address four focus areas: food & nutrition security, resilience, renewable energy, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) – with close attention to gender interests and climate change.
The project focuses on three main objectives:
- Enable CSOs to have a greater voice as advocates and lobbyists and effectively serve the interests of the people they represent.
- Influence agenda-setting by stimulating collaboration among CSOs, governments, private sector and other relevant players.
- Enhance government and private sector accountability, ensuring that promises and actions are followed through.