Activities with CSOs
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Cross-learning through tripartite training in the Pacific
ADB held a training to enhance the knowledge and skills of selected government officials, CSO representatives, and ADB staff to strengthen the participation of CSOs in the Pacific. Held on 11–15 November 2019 in Sydney, Australia, the training convened participants from Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Government and CSO participants gained a deeper understanding of ADB operations, including existing windows for CSO cooperation in country programming, projects, and policy development. The training included detailed discussions about ADB’s improved business processes for contracting CSOs.
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ADB Youth for Asia and ImpactHub Manila hold record-breaking hackathon
ADB Youth for Asia and various ADB departments partnered with ImpactHub Manila in holding a hackathon on 30-31 October 2019. The event aimed to promote youth entrepreneurship and seek innovative solutions on issues related to agriculture, climate change, health, education, and smart cities. The initiative broke the Philippine record for the largest 24-hour hackathon ever held, with over 4,000 participants from 15 cities across the country.
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Community consultations promote safeguards in Myanmar
ADB's Myanmar Resident Mission, in cooperation with the Project Management Unit of Myanmar's Ministry of Construction, organized a series of meetings with civil society organizations, villagers, and local government representatives in Kayin State on 27 October 2019. During the meetings, participants discussed the project’s revised grievance redress mechanism, which encourages community feedback and resolution at the village level.
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ADB recognizes the International Day of the Girl
ADB Youth for Asia, together with its partners, Plan International and the Asia Pacific Youth Exchange, celebrated the International Day of the Girl at ADB headquarters in Manila as part of a capacity-building workshop on youth-led approaches to gender equality.
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ADB staff and consultants join in training on working with civil society at ADB’s headquarters
ADB’s NGO and Civil Society Center (NGOC) conducts annual skills development programs to targeted ADB staff who regularly engage with CSOs. The 3–5 September 2019 event convened 33 participants from ADB’s regional departments, Department of Communications, and the Private Sector Operations Department. The training served as a venue for the participants to develop and share their departments’ action plans on how to effectively engage with CSOs in 2020.
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Multi-stakeholder forum held on civil society and the SDGs
With support from the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), the NGO and Civil Society Center conducted a forum on Engaging Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on 26-28 September 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. The purpose of the forum was to discuss the contribution of CSOs in achieving the SDGs, and how the government, ADB, and other development actors could engage them effectively in the realization of the global goals. Eight selected research papers were presented at the forum, which covered the following topics: innovative ways to address trans-generational poverty, mobilizing local communities for climate resilience, financial inclusion of women, and localizing and monitoring the implementation of the SDGs.
The multi-stakeholder forum was an opportunity to capture the knowledge and expertise of CSOs in poverty reduction, especially in ensuring inclusive development. In addition, it was a venue to form networks and create awareness about the ADB’s cooperation with CSOs.
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ADB President meets with CSOs
ADB President Takehiko Nakao met with around 250 representatives of civil society organizations and nongovernmental organizations from ADB member countries on 3 May 2018 at the 51st ADB Annual Meeting. The President thanked CSOs for actively engaging with ADB in the preparation of the Strategy 2030. Following his opening remarks, the President held a question and answer session with the participants.
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NGOs celebrate with ADB Staff Community Fund @20
Representatives of more than 20 nongovernment organizations (NGOs) celebrated with ADB's Staff Community Fund during its general assembly at the bank’s headquarters in Manila, Philippines on 20 April 2018. The SCF officers reported how its 20th anniversary last year resulted in almost Php8 million of funds raised mainly from ADB staff, consultants, retirees, and contractors’ contributions and voluntary work bringing to a cumulative total of Php82 million since its inception in 1997. A total of 24 NGOs, and three communities benefited from last year’s proceeds.
The Staff Community Fund is an initiative of the staff members of ADB to help the needy in Metro Manila, Philippines in partnership with NGOs in the form of scholarships, health and nutrition programs, livelihood, and other social assistance.
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Community integrity building pilot project launched in Armenia
ADB’s NGO and Civil Society Center and Armenia Resident Mission launched a community integrity building pilot project through an outreach with development partners on 25–28 September in Yerevan, Armenia. ADB partnered with Integrity Action, a network of NGOs, universities, and policy makers, to conduct training for five local NGOs on usage of DevelopmentCheck app, a beneficiary feedback system. These local NGOs will train communities to monitor school rehabilitation and construction as part of ADB’s Seismic Safety Improvement Program in Armenia.
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Learning event with ADB’s Central West and East Asia CSO Coordinators
ADB's NGO and Civil Society Center and Mongolia Resident Mission co-hosted a learning event on 19–21 September in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for ADB’s Central West and East Asia CSO coordinators to understand better the role of CSOs in facilitating citizens engagement for project monitoring. See event photos.
