One approach would be to think of ways to encourage shared ownership in CSO staff members for their own action. Perhaps organisations could work to create an understanding that each person plays a role in the chosen organization that contributes to the development of the overall civil society sector in Zambia. This can of course be done in a context that places an emphasis on capacity development training as a tool to improve the organisation for the sake of their target groups. This way the training would be viewed as investment the organisation makes and that it must receive a return on its investment. This approach must go hand-in-hand with supporting leaders of the organizations to send out the message to their teams that each and every member of staff is an asset. That every well trained member of staff is a building block to organisational success and sustainability.
In my two years of duty at ZGF, I did not find sufficient means and answers to tackle these questions, which I have pondered many times. But I came to believe that the key to successful capacity development lies within each and every person, who decides to dedicate her/his skills and abilities to the mission of civil society in Zambia and elsewhere. In this sense, I want to end with a quote from Margaret Mead:
“Never believe that a few dedicated, committed and passionate people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.
Tigwepo - March, 2017 16