CivSource Africa works to refine the practice and footprint of philanthropy for civic engagement in Africa. This mission is served through donor advocacy, building capacities of civic actors, and shaping narratives. As part of this mission, CivSource Africa was desirous of strengthening civil society in Uganda by strengthening local philanthropy for civic engagement. This we sought to achieve through a two-pronged strategy that involved a scoping study of philanthropy by the private sector and using the findings to facilitate engagement between private businesses engaged in philanthropy and civil society. The project was undertaken with funding from the USAID/Uganda Civil Society Strengthening Activity.
It was against this background that CivSource Africa undertook a pilot study mapping philanthropy by the private sector in 5 cities namely Mbarara, Gulu, Mbale, Jinja and Kampala. The study scanned the characteristics, the imperatives that underpin philanthropy by private businesses, the channels and mechanisms used by private businesses for philanthropy and identify the factors that limit private businesses philanthropy to CSOs and foundations. The findings of this pilot study were for use as a platform to foster conversations between the private sector and civil society on the feasibility of creating or strengthening giving partnerships between private businesses and civil society to collectively contribute to common good. The conversations were scheduled to take place in Mbarara, Mbale, Jinja, Gulu and Kampala.
The first meeting took place on 28th April 2022 at Rujumbura Hall at Igongo Cultural Centre Uganda in Mbarara City. The meeting was facilitated by CivSource Africa. It brought together 15 leaders from private businesses and civil society from Mbarara who together laid out a pathway of what ought to be in place to not only establish but also strengthen giving partnerships between the sectors.
The preceding meetings are scheduled to take place in Mbale, Jinja, Gulu and Kampala in May, June and July respectively.