Introduction

This programme strengthens leadership, management, and impact for CBOs and cooperatives. Participants gain practical tools through hands-on workshops, peer-to-peer exchanges, and strategic planning to drive sustainable community development and long-term organisational growth.

The five-day course combines four workshop days with one field visit to a local CBO and cooperative, offering direct exposure to real-world practices. Learning continues via an exclusive online Community of Practice (CoP), six follow-up webinars, and peer-led clinics addressing real-world challenges. An optional Geneva module provides international immersion in social business, sustainability, and humanitarian development models (costed separately).

Programme Objectives

This programme aims to:

• Develop Leadership Capacity: Empower CBO and cooperative leaders with advanced management and leadership skills.
• Enhance Financial Resilience: Equip leaders with strategies for sustainable resource mobilization and financial management.
• Strengthen Organizational Impact: Provide tools to help leaders scale their organizations and amplify their impact on local communities.
• Build Strategic Alliances: Foster collaboration and partnership development to increase resource-sharing and collective success.
• Promote Ethical Governance: Encourage transparent, ethical decision-making and responsible governance within organizations.

Target Participants

This programme is designed for professionals who lead, support, or collaborate with community-based organisations and cooperatives, including:

• Individuals leading or engaged in community-based organisations
• Cooperative Leaders & Managers: Those managing or leading cooperatives at all levels.
• Local Development Practitioners: Professionals engaged in community-driven development initiatives.
• Government & Local Authorities: Officials supporting local development programmes.
• Donors & Development Partners: Funders seeking to support grassroots initiatives effectively.
• Network Builders: Professionals focused on partnerships and collaborative networks for community impact.

Key Learning Outcomes

ABy the end of the programme, participants should be able to:

• Lead Effectively: Apply leadership skills to guide organisational growth and navigate complex challenges.
• Manage Resources Efficiently: Implement financial management systems and mobilise resources for sustainability.
• Form Strategic Partnerships: Identify and build successful collaborations to enhance impact.
• Plan for Growth: Develop strategies for scaling operations, including monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Govern Ethically: Incorporate best practices in ethical governance, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Leverage Coaching for Success: Apply insights from personalised coaching sessions to implement action plans effectively.

Programme Benefits

Upon completion, participants will:

• Gain Practical Tools: Apply strategies to improve financial management, resource mobilisation, and community engagement.
• Build Sustainable Solutions: Design locally-led initiatives aligned with Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDPN) principles.
• Create Strong Partnerships: Develop skills to build trust and form effective collaborations with stakeholders.
• Enhance Learning & Resilience: Participate in peer learning, data-driven decision-making, and resilience-building activities.
• Ensure Long-Term Impact: Implement strategies and action plans that strengthen leadership and drive sustainable community development.

Programme Delivery

The course combines interactive, experiential learning methods to ensure practical application:

• Workshops & Sessions: Four in-person days featuring case studies, group discussions, and team exercises.
• Field Visit: One day visiting a local CBO and cooperative to observe real-world practices.
• Coaching: Learning continues via an exclusive online Community of Practice (CoP), six follow-up webinars, and peer-led clinics addressing real-world challenges
• Facilitation: Delivered by a mix of experienced practitioners and academic faculty for practical, hands-on learning.
• Mode & Language: In-person at SBS Nairobi, conducted in English.
• Certification: Participants receive a certificate upon successful completion.

Daily Focus:

• Day 1: Local Power & Community-Led Solutions – Apply localisation principles, strengthen community engagement, and co-create strategies for financial resilience and local ownership.
• Day 2: Smarter Resource Use & Visibility – Maximise limited resources, improve stakeholder communication, and enhance visibility through grassroots fundraising and participatory budgeting.
• Day 3: Field Visit – Learning in Action – Observe a CBO and a cooperative in Nairobi, analysing real-world operations, challenges, and best practices.
• Day 4: Strategic Collaboration – Develop value-driven partnerships, leverage networks, and create joint initiatives to expand reach and impact.
• Day 5: Adaptive Growth & Learning Loops – Embed MEL frameworks and feedback loops, foster a learning culture, and plan for scalable, sustainable growth.

The mode of delivery is In-Person at the SBS Campus.

Faculty

The programme is delivered by a blend of experienced practitioners and academic experts to ensure both practical and theoretical learning.

• Practitioners: Bring hands-on experience from community-based organisations, cooperatives, and development initiatives.
• Academic Faculty: Offer rigorous frameworks, case-based learning, and evidence-based strategies.

Together, they provide a well-rounded, practical learning experience that equips participants to apply insights directly in their organisations.