Foundation Holds Social Sector Connect Programme to Foster Collaboration

Funmi Ogundare 

The Goke Dele Foundation (GDF) recently hosted its social sector connect programme, aimed at fostering collaboration, sharing insights, and exploring partnerships to achieve greater impact in the social sector.

Themed, ‘Collaborate for Change: Harnessing the Power of Networks and Partnerships in the NGO Sector’, the programme brought together representatives from 16 different Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and featured distinguished facilitators who shared their expertise and insights on various aspects of NGO collaboration and leveraging technology for social impact. 

Among the facilitators were an IT Specialist, Mr. Oluwaseyifunmi Afolabi  who spoke on the need for organisations to maximise the use of technology to initiate partnerships and enhance collaboration, 

Speaking at the programme in Lagos, the Secretary General of the United Nations Association of Nigeria, Dr. Omopeju Afanu and a Business Consultant , Mr. Olufisayo Okunsaya,  emphasised the importance of NGO collaboration and partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals.

Dr. Afanu, highlighted the critical role of collaboration in driving social change, stating, “the future is for those who are ready to collaborate, as no individual organisation can address the complex challenges we face today.

“Only through partnership and collective action can we make meaningful progress towards our shared goals,” she stressed.

Okunsaya emphasised the need for NGOs to leverage their strengths and resources through strategic partnerships.
According to him, “by collaborating with other organisations, organisations can amplify their impact, reach more beneficiaries, and achieve greater sustainability in their initiatives.”
Participants at the programme expressed enthusiasm about forging meaningful partnerships and leveraging collaborative approaches to address pressing social issues. They stated that its success will set a promising precedent for future collaborative endeavors in the social sector, with a renewed focus on harnessing collective expertise and resources to effect substantial and sustainable change.
Expressing his delight at the success of the programme, the convener, Mr. Goke Dele stated, “we are thrilled by the overwhelming response and active participation from representatives of various NGOs at the GDF social sector connect. It is evident that by coming together and pooling our resources and expertise, we can achieve far greater impact than we could ever imagine individually.”