In its continued commitment to strengthening local capacity for sustainable development, PIRO, through the KIJANI PEMBA Project, successfully conducted a four-day intensive training on project proposal development for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in Chake Chake and Mkoani districts.
The training, held from 22 May 2025, brought together representatives from over 35 local organizations, with the overarching goal of equipping participants with practical skills and knowledge to conceptualize, draft, and submit high-quality, competitive project proposals. The training was a strategic intervention under the KIJANI PEMBA project
The aim of the training was to enhance the ability of local CSOs and NGOs to access funding opportunities, design impactful interventions, and align proposals with donor priorities and community needs. As many grassroots organizations often struggle with resource mobilization and technical proposal writing, PIRO recognized the importance of building local expertise to ensure that important community-driven ideas can be effectively funded and implemented.
Over the four days, participants were taken through a comprehensive curriculum that included:
Understanding donor requirements and funding landscapes (local, regional, and international)
Problem analysis and needs assessment techniques
Theory of Change and Logical Framework development
Budgeting, M&E planning, and sustainability strategies
Proposal structuring, writing tips, and common errors to avoid
Facilitated by experienced trainers and development practitioners, the sessions were designed to be interactive and hands-on. Group exercises, peer reviews, and live drafting sessions allowed participants to engage deeply with real-world examples and refine their organization’s draft proposals. Feedback was also provided on actual project ideas that participants brought with them, ensuring the training was not only theoretical but practically relevant to their ongoing work.
Beyond technical skills, the training served as a platform for networking and collaboration, enabling organizations working in similar thematic areas — such as climate change, youth empowerment, gender equality, health, and agriculture — to share experiences and explore potential partnerships.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, PIRO’s Executive Director emphasized the importance of local ownership and the need for community-based organizations to take the lead in developing and implementing context-specific solutions. “We believe that building strong institutions begins with building people. This training is part of our broader strategy to empower local actors to drive Pemba’s development agenda from the grassroots up,” she stated.
PIRO is confident that the knowledge gained will have a ripple effect, as trained organizations go on to develop stronger project concepts, secure funding, and deliver results that transform lives. As part of its post-training support, PIRO will continue mentoring selected CSOs and providing technical guidance in the months ahead.
The KIJANI PEMBA project, implemented with support from the European Union, remains committed to inclusive development, environmental restoration, and local empowerment in Pemba. This training is just one of the many capacity-building initiatives planned to ensure communities are not only beneficiaries of development but also active architects of their own future.
Bi mwanaisha make her contribution during the training
Mr Nuhu Yahya Saleh, training facilitator, on his way to pave the minds of participants
During the training the participants were required to develop project concept notes and present Infront of the audience as one learning method
Mr suleiman present his group concept note
