Regional Reports - the European External Action Service

day management functions. Most decision making activities are carried out by the NGO Board if
the NGOs operate in more than one region while the local NGOs operating only in Somali region
are managed by either a Board or a committee of the founding members. The larger local NGOs
like HFH and OWDO have structures stretching from Board to project unit at local level. Their
decision making power also depends on the resources they manage. Nevertheless, in practice, the
recently formed local NGOs do not have tangible organizational structures and leadership that
could fully engage in day to day management activities because they are less active due to the
lack of adequate fund needed to implement the proposed projects. Since the governance board
members are the founders, there is no regular general assembly because they do not usually have
membership and/or are not dependent on members’ contributions as funding sources. It is only in
the case of the Ethiopia Somali Youth development association which is under formation that
raising fund from members’ registrations and contributions has been noted as source of fund.
In most cases, local NGO management which is also the board lacks transparency in its functions
and decision making activities particularly in relation to finance and resource usage. Under the
existing situation where there is no monitoring system, it is difficult to expect efficiency and
effectiveness of the internal organization and their management to be transparent and accountable
to their constituencies. According to the observations of resourceful individuals consulted, there
are also cases in which NGO management board/committee members clash and enter into conflict
for personal benefits.
11. Capacity Building Needs
The existing capacity of most NSA is too limited to participate and contribute to the regional
development endeavours. Among the major capacity problems faced are the lack of skilled
manpower, the shortages of financial resource and logistic problems. In the case of member based
NSA, the registration and contribution collected from members is insignificant to cover these
costs and hence they will not be able to pursue with the existing capacity. Capacity limitation is
also a major problem for local NGOs especially the newly formed ones who have to depend on
either the INGO or sector office for logistics.
Generally, the major capacity limitations are as summarized below;
o Shortage of skilled manpower due to the high staff turnover
o Lack of access to training including on the job training
o Financial shortages to finance operational costs
o Logistics like vehicle, office furniture and equipment (computers, printers, etc)
o Most NSA do not have the knowledge and experience that enable to engage in policy and
political dialogue
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