Strategic Planning and Network Building: Insights from Dr. Vincent Chakunda
By Sandra N. Gama
At a recent Partners Exchange visit hosted by the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust, The Girls Table had the opportunity to gain knowledge from Dr. Vincent Chakunda of the Midlands State University Centre for Public Policy and Devolution. Dr. Chakunda facilitated an insightful session on strategic planning and network building, offering a comprehensive guide for organizations looking to enhance their effectiveness and resilience in a rapidly changing environment.
Dr. Chakunda emphasized the critical role of strategic planning in achieving long-term goals, posing the fundamental question: Are we aware of strategic plans? He highlighted the importance of securing funds to finance these plans, stressing that even the best-laid plans could falter without financial backing.
He then discussed setting up a vision, asking, “What do you want to be?” He highlighted the importance of assessing the environment to understand the factors influencing the strategic plan. “Are we in control of the environment that affects our plans?” Chakunda said there needs to be a structured process to define long-term goals and vision.
Organizations often rely on donor funds but may not make themselves attractive to funders. Dr. Chakunda pointed out the necessity of scanning the environment to align with potential funders. “Are we preparing ourselves for contemporary issues? Conversations around artificial intelligence and its implications are becoming unavoidable. How do we help communities build resilience?” He stressed that civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) should realign their thematic areas to be relevant to climate change issues. At the end of the day, the question remains: Are organisations relevant to the challenges in the communities?
Dr. Chakunda delved into resource mapping and mobilization, asserting that “money follows strategic ideas.” He encouraged exploring new and innovative ideas, saying that quality ideas attract funding. Streamlining and mapping funding sources is crucial. “How do we approach these sources?” he asked. This can be done by finding more funding opportunities and moving away from relying solely on regular donors that everyone else is approaching and whose funding is shrinking due to other commitments. Profiling funding organizations according to specific issues and having clear action plans are essential steps that organisations can take.
Investing in networking was another critical point. Dr. Chakunda urged participants to profile mainstream organizations, find opportunities, and collaborate with others rather than working in silos. He noted that funding partners now prefer consortiums over individual organizations. This approach broadens the impact of projects and increases the likelihood of securing funding.
Dr. Chakunda’s session offered valuable insights into the importance of strategic planning, resource mobilization, and network building. Organizations can enhance their relevance and resilience by setting a sharp vision, aligning with contemporary issues, and engaging in effective networking. This integrated approach ensures they are well-positioned to navigate the complexities of today’s funding landscape and make a meaningful impact in their communities.