Dominican NGOs to benefit from first-of-its-kind accelerator program run by Island Impact Ltd

Five local grassroots organizations have embarked on a six-month journey as participants in the inaugural NGO Accelerator Program, a groundbreaking initiative facilitated by Island Impact Ltd. This program aims to bolster the capacity, sustainability, and impact of the involved NGOs through a blend of training, mentorship, and support. Sonja Wiencke, the Founder of Island Impact, highlighted the program’s goal of strengthening the civil society sector in Dominica to enable grassroots organizations to effect positive change in their communities in a more sustainable, systematic, and research-driven manner.

“So many passionate people invest their time and effort into community organizations. Island Impact aims to help them with the right tools, knowledge, and processes so they can be more effective and efficient,” said Wiencke.

The program kicked off with a session on June 18th, 2024, at Alliance Francaise in Roseau, marking the beginning of a series of online sessions over the next six months. Participants will engage in workshops covering crucial topics such as team management, fundraising strategies, activity design, and basic monitoring and evaluation. The program fosters a collaborative environment where NGOs can exchange experiences, resources, and best practices while emphasizing the development of sustainable models for long-term success and resilience.

“We don’t run the type of training where you just sit through presentations and forget about it afterwards. We work really closely with the participants, helping them put everything they learnt into practice immediately,” remarked Christianna Paul, the Evaluation and Partnerships Manager at Island Impact, emphasizing the hands-on approach of the program,

The program will culminate in early 2025 with a networking event where participants will showcase their work to potential funders and partners.

The inaugural cohort of the NGO Accelerator Program comprises 28 participants from organizations like the Breadfruit House Foundation, You R Queen, East Dominica Children’s Federation, Waitukubuli Artist Association, and WildDominique. These participants are eager to enhance their NGO management skills, exchange insights, and establish lasting partnerships with other organizations and funders.

Yvonne Armour, Director of WildDominique, expressed enthusiasm for the program, saying, “I particularly appreciate all the thought, time and energy that has gone into planning this NGO Accelerator workshop, and look forward to connecting, supporting and learning with/from you all throughout this transformative  journey.”