The core activity of Educaids is capacity building of Civil Society Organizations and Civil Society Organizations in South and North. The strategic pillars for capacity building are
- linking & learning
- research
- piloting
- lobby & advocacy
Activities
Linking & learning
The quality of SRHR programmes can be increased by communicating about what works and what does not. This implies that Educaids aims at facilitating linking and learning among different partners and stakeholders on country, regional and international level in North and South. For this purpose, Educaids networks, which could be considered as a kind of loosely knitted CSC’s, are established in developing countries. Fluidity characterizes these networks, being open for participation of CSO’s which yet lack a direct relation with Educaids donor organizations, but are bringing in experience and knowledge in a specific field.
Research
The role of research is twofold. First, of course, research has an important role in knowledge development on SRHR. As such, it could provide us with evidence about the situation and needs of our target groups or it can be applied in the evaluation of SRHR programmes. Second, the research activity increases the capacity of organizations to take a more reflective stand with regards to their own action.
Results of on-the-ground research are not always shared and utilised. Educaids will promote dissemination of research outcomes, and will use this evidence for network activities in the field of education and SRHR. In addition, Educaids stimulates that CSO’s and CSC’s will get in contact with universities and research institutes in North and South. Outcomes of research will be actively shared among all stakeholders through internet, expert meetings, workshops, conferences, etc. Educaids will facilitate its members and partners to identify and apply lessons learned.
Research evidence guides the design, planning and implementation of SRHR programmes.
Piloting
Linking & learning activities, research evidence and theories on behaviour change may lead to new insights in SRHR interventions. First, these insights could be used for improvement of ongoing education programmes. Second, these insights could enrich organizations’ policies and proposals for the attraction of funds from (future) donors. Finally, new understandings may cause the wish or need to experiment and gain experience with interventions by means of starting-up pilots. Educaids wants to enable such pilot initiatives that could demonstrate good practices. Successful programmes could be used for scaling-up or form a solid basis for advocacy on Comprehensive Sexuality Education.
Lobby & Advocacy
Good practices, programmes of good quality, strengthened capacities and knowledge sharing will form a good base to lobby for sustainable support from other actors for the provision of comprehensive education programmes in the field of SRHR. National Governments have to play their role. Structural reforms in the education sector are impossible without collaboration of government, but this same government needs to be fueled and be held accountable by those that have practical on-the-ground experience. With this input, we can demand Ministries of Education and Ministries of Health to collaborate and to develop and implement clear policies and strategic plans on SRHR education, especially for young people.
