Kigali, Rwanda - Friday May 12th, 2023: The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP) and the Network of International NGOs in Rwanda (NINGO) have organized a CSO grantees exhibition at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village.

The exhibition aimed at showcasing the achievements of grantees of the second phase of the Programme on Strengthening Civil Society Organizations for Responsive and Accountable Governance in Rwanda that started in 2018.

The exhibition, which was the last event of the 2023 CSO week, provided an opportunity for civil society organizations (CSOs) to demonstrate their contributions to Rwanda's development agenda. The event followed a community connect on Tuesday 9, May 2023 where CSOs offered pro-bono services to residents in Mageregere Sector in Nyarugenge district.

Dr. Usta Kaitesi, the CEO of the RGB said that for any sustainable development to happen as a country a competent government, a thriving private sector and an active and competent civil society are needed.

“As a country we have chosen to pursue accountable governance, we have chosen to pursue transparency and to have an efficient leadership system, and civil society is the core of that” she added.

Mr. Maxwell Gomera, the Resident Representative of the UNDP, said, “We must recognize and value the critical role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in addressing our most challenging problems as a society. They have an unparalleled ability to bridge the gaps left by governments and businesses. They are on the ground, directly engaging with communities and individuals, understanding their unique challenges and tailoring solutions to fit their needs.”

The successful event that was filled with celebration and exhibitions highlighted the transformative impact of the CSOs in Rwanda and its critical role in the country's sustainable development.

The CSO grantees exhibition also facilitated networking, partnership building, and resource mobilization for Civil Society Organizations supported by RGB and UNDP. The event similarly benefitted other CSOs that are members of the Network of International NGOs in Rwanda (NINGO) and/or RCSP.

Since 2018, the programme has supported 152 Civil Society Organizations with a micro-grant of a maximum of 25,000,000 RWF each. This support enabled the CSO grantees to implement grassroots projects in different thematic areas while providing tailored capacity-building initiatives and individual coaching. This second phase of the programme will end in 2024.

The RGB and UNDP are committed to continue strengthening partnerships between the government and civil society actors to fast track national development and people-centered prosperity.