REPORT ON GROUP DISCUSSION ON FUNDRAISING CAPACITY BUILDING BASED ON BSU PARTNERSHIP HELD ON 27/08/2012
1.0 GROUP MEMBERS
1. Jens Seeberg Chair
2. Amos Majule Rappoteur
3. Robert Hinson Member
4. George Kajembe Member
5. Anna Temu Member
6. Wineaster Anderson Member
7. Finn Tarp Member
8. Flemming Konradsen Member
9. Arne Skov Member
10. Kirsten Thomsen Member
11. Soren Kjaergaard Member
2.0 Introduction
The group discussed based on presentations made by Kirsten Thomsen (a motivator) and Amos Majule both in plenary session and also in a small group. Following the two presentations it was clearly realized that there is a need for capacity building in the area of fund rising through BSU. The overall objective of the group work was therefore to create common understanding of institutional capacity building within BSU and to develop ideas for fundraising.
To address this, the following issues were required to covered in the discussion;
ü Definition/boundaries
ü Brief analysis of challenges with regards to fund rising
ü Ideas for generic activities
ü Ideas for joint activities
ü Ideas on how to approach implementation
ü Special areas of concern that needs attention
3.0 DISCUSSIONS ON KEY ISSUES
3.1 Definition/boundaries
The group discussed and agreed that for the purpose of fund rising with the context of BSU the following definition should apply “Building capacity of fund rising to BSU partner institutions to meet fund requirement for activities not fully funded under the current BSU activities”.
It was not noted that some of the activities of interest are ether not or are partially funded and hence a need for building capacity to fund raise. Some members had the opinion that that capacity should also help scientists in the south to have their capacity raised.
3.2 Analysis of challenges
A number of challenges with regards to fund rising capacity were discussed that have affected effective fund rising and the most important ones includes;
ü The different existing network are very week and in some places are not there and hence a need for strengthening them
ü Knowledge on application know how is very limited and a need for strengthening that area was recognized
ü The existing support structures in south universities are inadequate and in some places does not exist (exploring funding opportunities, handling applications and follow up with funding agencies).
ü There has been a tendency of depending on traditionally known common funders without exploring other existing opportunities such as private sectors
ü Most donor funded programs come with specific interests which does not necessarily follow existing national, institutions research agenda.
These challenges needs to be addressed for effective fund raising
3.3 Ideas for specific activities
Discussion activities took quite sometime especially on how and who should do them at platform level. After a long discussion the following key activities were agreed upon.
ü Conduct training of trainers on fund rising to cover specific aspects such as lobbying and proposal writing targeting specific funding/donor group.
ü Assist in development of fund rising strategies (if not existing) for the south universities
ü Support or strengthen existing fund raising strategies for the south universities or institutions taking into account the issue of sustainability
ü Establish strong link between fund seeking institutions and potential donor during proposal development process (a case of Zanzibar and Moshi University were given). This can take place at various levels within our universities
3.4 Joint activities
The activities presented under 3.3 were noted to forms a strong basis for joint activities (both south and north, between platforms, between universities within a country and between two or more universities from different countries.
3.5 Some limitations
The following limitations were notes;
ü Funding level might not satisfy all demands
ü A small group might be required as opposed to large ones
ü Different universities have different requirements/interests/needs or organization levels
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