{"id":2863,"date":"2023-10-27T13:16:54","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T13:16:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/?p=2863"},"modified":"2023-10-27T23:29:06","modified_gmt":"2023-10-27T23:29:06","slug":"diagnostic-tools-inspires-a-private-sector-association-awita-to-enhance-sustainability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/diagnostic-tools-inspires-a-private-sector-association-awita-to-enhance-sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"Diagnostic Tools Inspire a Private Sector Association (AWITA) to Enhance Sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2863\" class=\"elementor elementor-2863\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-26a25f0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"26a25f0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-90557f5\" data-id=\"90557f5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac70a39 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ac70a39\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">Africa\u2019s economic landscape has been evolving rapidly over the past few decades, with private sector associations playing a crucial role in driving growth, innovation, and job creation. However, many associations, comprising largely small and medium-scale enterprises, are not financially sustainable due to a myriad of factors that tend to limit the impact of these associations. The CLOSA project is working with associations in West Africa to address this challenge through <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\">an adaptive learning process that leverages local and regional expertise and connections to test, adapt and apply evidence from a robust multi-country knowledge base on building sustainable private sector associations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">The CLOSA project is working with associations in West Africa to address the financial sustainability of many small and medium-scale enterprises through <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\">an adaptive learning process that leverages local and regional expertise and connections to test, adapt and apply evidence from a robust multi-country knowledge base on building sustainable private sector associations.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">The Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA), along with 33 other associations in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal took part in a comprehensive assessment&nbsp;organized by the USAID local works, Connect and Learn for Sustainable Associations (CLOSA) project from December 2022 to March 2023. The assessment utilized a newly developed diagnostic tool that not only helps associations understand their current state, but also describes the ideal state to enhance support to their members, as well as financial sustainability and commercial viability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">The assessment tool evaluated performance parameters specifically across the mission and strategic plan, financial operations, governance, value proposition, and sustainable financing model. While AWITA demonstrated commendable organizational practices across various metrics such as vision and mission statements and board governance structures, there were other areas that required strengthening, like many associations in West Africa. These included (i) refining the association\u2019s strategic and operational planning, (ii) the establishment of robust financial systems such as standardized budgeting processes, and consistent internal auditing for enhanced control, and (iii) the development and implementation of crucial policies in finance, human resources, assets, and procurement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">Speaking on the results of the assessment, Mrs. Ruth Agbo, President of AWITA stated \u201c<i>We were really inspired by some of the findings from the assessment &nbsp;and decided to change the way we operated by seeking guidance on how we could start working to improve our organizational systems. For instance, in March 2023, we engaged a management consultant who worked closely with us for two months. This engagement led to the development of essential organizational and operational policies for AWITA, including the creation of an operational manual, financial guidelines, and a gender policy document. These policies represent crucial steps towards improving AWITA&#8217;s operations and transparency.<\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">The association is currently working on implementing these policies and guidelines into their day-to-day processes, with the goal of enhancing accountability and transparency.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><br><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\">Established in 2019, <\/span><\/span><a style=\"color: #0563c1; text-decoration-line: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awita.org.ng\/\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">AWITA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"> is a remarkable organization founded by Nigerian women in the fields of trade and agriculture with the aim of empowering women within these sectors and equipping them with the relevant resources necessary to unlock their full potential. With a vision to accelerate women\u2019s economic empowerment and participation in socio-political development, AWITA seeks to boost its commercial viability, fine-tune its value proposition, create robust business plans, and bolster resource mobilization for long-term financial sustainability.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n    <div class=\"xs_social_share_widget xs_share_url after_content \t\tmain_content  wslu-style-1 wslu-share-box-shaped wslu-fill-colored wslu-none wslu-share-horizontal wslu-theme-font-no wslu-main_content\">\n\n\t\t\n        <ul>\n\t\t\t        <\/ul>\n    <\/div> \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Africa\u2019s economic landscape has been evolving rapidly over the past few decades, with private sector associations playing a crucial role in driving growth, innovation, and job creation. However, many associations, comprising largely small and medium-scale enterprises, are not financially sustainable due to a myriad of factors that tend to limit the impact of these associations. &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/diagnostic-tools-inspires-a-private-sector-association-awita-to-enhance-sustainability\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Diagnostic Tools Inspire a Private Sector Association (AWITA) to Enhance Sustainability<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2866,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"postBodyCss":"","postBodyMargin":[],"postBodyPadding":[],"postBodyBackground":{"backgroundType":"classic","gradient":""},"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-success-stories"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sstories.jpg",1463,898,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sstories-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sstories-300x184.jpg",300,184,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sstories-768x471.jpg",768,471,true],"large":["https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sstories-1024x629.jpg",1024,629,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sstories.jpg",1463,898,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sstories.jpg",1463,898,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"closa","author_link":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/author\/closa\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Africa\u2019s economic landscape has been evolving rapidly over the past few decades, with private sector associations playing a crucial role in driving growth, innovation, and job creation. However, many associations, comprising largely small and medium-scale enterprises, are not financially sustainable due to a myriad of factors that tend to limit the impact of these associations.&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2863"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2883,"href":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2863\/revisions\/2883"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2866"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hsdf.org.ng\/closa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}