Introducing the EPIC-Africa Newsletter

We are excited to bring you the inaugural edition of our newsletter. Below you will find the latest on our work, especially our African CSO Platform, your go-to source for valuable insights, opportunities, and connections within African civil society. At EPIC-Africa, our mission is to enable CSOs, funders, researchers, journalists, and change-makers to collaborate effectively and enhance philanthropic impact across the continent.

The African CSO Platform

At a time of growing interest in African civil society, including from funders seeking to give to more local organizations, EPIC’s African CSO Platform showcases thousands of CSOs across the continent. Funders can find potential grantee-partners, and African CSOs can connect with each other while also accessing skill-building resources and tools. All visitors to the platform can get our expert takes on the latest trends in philanthropy and civil society.

1247 CSOs

Registered on the platform since its launch in June 2023.

Top 3 areas of focus

1. Education - 263 CSOs

2. Climate Change -207 CSOs

3. Community Development - 351 CSOs

46 African countries 

Represented on the African CSO platform.

200+ Content shared

19 articles have been approved, over 100 vacancies shared, over 50 funding opportunities and fellowships and 50+ events and trainings.

News & Updates

A look back at the launch evening!

Officially announced in Zanzibar on 29 June 2023 at the East Africa Philanthropy Network’s annual conference, the African CSO Platform is the result of 5 years of engagement with more than 6,000 CSOs from 46 countries in Africa.

Our keynote speaker: Kumi Naidoo

'Technology and platforms such as the African CSO Platform hold immense potential in facilitating collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking. By harnessing digital tools, civil society organisations can transcend geographical barriers, amplify their voices, and mobilise resources more efficiently. These platforms provide spaces for dialogue, coordination, and collective action, creating synergies and strengthening the collective impact of civil society organisations.

Rose Maruru: The Platform is based on 4 main lessons

‘The African CSO Platform is based on the four following lessons: partnerships are vital (1), CSOs are willing to be transparent (2), CSOs are eager to connect with peers (3) and technology holds great promise to transform the African CSO sector (4).’ Rose also said: we’ve heard from funders who need ‘access to a wider, and more diverse pool of potential partners’, and from ‘researchers, consultants, and journalists who crave a central hub for information and news about the sector.’

Partnerships & Events

M-Changa x EPIC-Africa

Our partnership with M-Changa is currently empowering the first cohort of African CSOs to maximize fundraising through the donate button on the African CSO Platform. As we witness the positive impact unfold, we invite other CSOs to join this transformative initiative. If you're eager to enhance your fundraising potential, send us an email at support@epic-africa.org to express your interest and be part of the next cohort.

Introducing the platform to Ugandan civil society

We were thrilled to offer a webinar with the Uganda National NGO Forum, to introduce the African CSO Platform to the Ugandan CSOs. Are you a part of a similar association or network of CSOs? Want us to do a webinar in your country? E-mail us at support@epic-africa.org.

Initiatives

Our new podcast, Magal Teranga!

Discover the stories of Rokhaya, Moussa, Aicha and Pathé with our brand-new podcast series called Magal Teranga! In our inaugural season, we've curated 10 episodes that dive deep into the histories, motivations, and impactful moments behind acts of kindness. Don't miss out—tune in now to hear the untold tales that shape Senegalese Teranga! The episodes are in French.

Stay tuned for our report on individual giving!

EPIC-Africa will soon release a report on individual giving in Senegal that will offer valuable insights into the landscape of support for CSOs in the region. We hope the lessons from our upcoming "Challenging the myths: Individual giving to organizations in Africa" report will help foster a more sustainable CSO ecosystem on the continent. Stay in the loop! Follow us on social media to be the first to know when our report is released.