Strategic Action for Community Development Nigeria (SACD-Nigeria)

Convened in 2020, our new coalition is called the Strategic Action for Community Development Nigeria (SACD-Nigeria). We know, first hand, that Nigerian people have the capacities and the potential to co-create and sustain this better future. We also know that “no community is an island”–which is why we have come together. 

Photo by Doug Linstedt on Unsplash

To read or download our overview document, click >> at right.

Nigeria Strategy for Strong Communities

From July 11 to 13th, the Nigeria National Chapter of the Movement, Strategic Action for Community-led Development in Nigeria, (SACDN) earned the distinction of first to access the Movement’s Small Grants Funds for National Chapters. This dynamic group of 30 Nigerian Civil Society Organizations (18 led by women) convened a workshop entitled “Capacity strengthening for: Strategic Co-creation Plan of SACDN Addressing Challenges facing Nigeria and Launch of its Nigeria Chapter.”  Representatives of member organizations from across the country gathered in person and online in Jos Plateau State at the Peace Orientation and Conference Center.  

SACDN members co-created a shared vision through a process that built on–and then strengthened–the group’s collective capacities and commitment to collaboration, innovation, and adaptation. In the face of violence sweeping the country, this diverse group collectively committed to overcoming insecurity, poverty and hunger by building a Nigerian civil society in service to the everyday people of Nigeria. This powerful group of experienced social change leaders collectively envisioned a future of community well-being, marked by good health and access to education. They know Nigeria can and will be a place of peaceful co-existence across inclusive and just communities, built on gender equality, good governance, transparency, and accountability across sectors. In the face of their country’s difficult current realities, the group took heart and learned from global examples of social change, notably the story of Indonesia over the past decades. SACDN is weaving together a platform comprising centuries worth of shared knowledge and experience, strong and trusting relationships, and global guidance from the Collective Impact Movement. As part of this Chapter’s institutionalization, they democratically elected 13 members of a Steering Committee and planned their next strategic steps forward toward a brighter future.

Who we are

We are 30 civil society organizations bound by a common dream for our country: community well-being as the norm, marked by social, mental, and physical health for every individual and of the collective, living in harmony with the natural environment. Our network members are trusted and proven: we have known each other for decades. Most member organizations are from ten to 30 years old, with eighteen led by women. Our leaders are visionary and courageous, as exemplified by Dr. Rebecca Dali, who was named the United Nations Global Humanitarian of the Year in 2017. By necessity, and by nature, we are innovative–with our most recent example being the formation of this very  network.

We live and work in the most difficult places in Nigeria, as authentic and skilled partners and community members. Our members have long-standing relationships with the most vulnerable that allows trust to be more easily established, and for more astute insights into the current state of affairs to accomplish the work proposed in this concept.

Watch as our founder is honored at the UN

What we do

We work in diverse sectors including Youth Economic Empowerment, Youth Conflict Resolution & Peace Building, Adolescent & Youth Human Rights, Gender Equality & Inclusion, Advocacy & Influencing on girls’ issues & rights, Humanitarian/Development, Emergency Relief, Health, Livelihood, Child Protection & Safeguarding, Water Sanitation & Hygiene, Informal & Adult Education. Some members have partnered with the UN and large international NGOs. Several NGOs pursue legal cases and court proceedings dealing with injustice associated with violence and religious intolerance. Our coalition of 30 Nigerian CSOs represent the four VOICE rights-holders groups across the country.

Why we’ve come together

Our collective centuries of experience has taught us about the exponential and dynamic power of networked civil society. Individually, each organization has a hard time being heard, which undermines potential for sustainable difference. Together, we already are being heard in new arenas, and we are collectively generating new power. Our network represents, in sum, immeasurable collective wisdom, experience, and skills on the ground working with the most vulnerable. The group represents the beautiful diversity of Nigeria, encompassing myriad religions, ethnicities, languages, regions, living conditions, ages, abilities, histories and subcultures. 

In order for our shared vision to reach all communities, we of the grassroots must connect and collaborate to form a wide web of safety and promise. Successful everyday well-being is only possible in an environment that supports successful harvests and businesses, quality public services (including health, education, security, utilities and other infrastructure) all, dynamically managed by representative and responsive governance–from local to national.

How we work together and with youth

Even in our short time as a formal network, we are coalescing powerfully. We will employ our evidence-based Collective Impact 3.0 (CI3.0) model of movement building in our work with youth to build the very “new power” that is driving change all around the world, as based on two pillars: mass participation and peer coordination. CI3.0 interweaves five simple components to create measurable systems change: shared vision; authentic engagement; continuous learning and adaptation; mutually reinforcing, high leverage actions; as managed within the “container for change.” This simple but powerful model enables true co-creation and has been shown to make a difference, and works well with youth, who deserve no less in today’s world.

Our Members

Africa Christian TextbookS (ACTS) – Plateau State

African International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF) – Abuja

Andatana Therapeutic Care Network/ Andatana Communitive Care and Empowerment Initiative (ACTI)

Agape Women Initiative for Sustainable Development (AWISD)

Bauchi Human Rights Network (BAHRN) – Bauchi state

Centre for Caring, Empowerment, and Peace Initiative (CCEPI) – Michika, Adamawa State                        

Community Empowerment Initiative (CEI)

Center for Reconciliation, Rebuilding, Restoration of Hope in Nigeria (CRRRH) – Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State

Centre of Promotion of Love & Peace in Africa (CPLPA) – Amuwo-Odofin LGA, Lagos State

Dlabi Blawa Nigeria Ltd (DBN) – Lokoja, Kogi State

Divine Foundation for Disabled Persons (DFDP) – Surulere, Lagos

Education Must Continue Initiative (EMCI) – Jos, Plateau State

Esther Mallo Women Initiative (EMWI) – Jos-South LGA,  Plateau State

Everywhere Green Initiative (EGI) – Adamawa state

EYN Project (EYN-P) – Maiduguri, Borno State

Grass-Root Development Centre for Peace and Social Justice (GRDCPSJ) – Jos North LGA,  Plateau State

God’s Will Press Global Resource Ltd. (GW)

G of G Luvack Enterprises (G of G)

Green Planet International Nigeria Ltd (GPI) – Jos, Plateau State,  Nigeria    

Heal for AFRICA INITIATIVE (HFAI)

Heed the Child Initiative (HCI) – Hong LGA, Adamawa State

Jauro Inter-Faith Shades Foundation (JISF) – Karu LGA, Nasarawa state

Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation Movement (JPRM) – Jos, Plateau Stat

My Builders Integrated Concept Limited (MyBuilders) – Refield, Jos, Plateau State

Na Kowa Legacy Empowerment Foundation (Na Kowa) – Michika LGA,  Adamawa state

Naza Agape Foundation (NAF) – Bukuru, Jos,  Adamawa State

Resiliance Ardour Youth Mentoring Initiative (RAYMI) – Yola South LGA, Adamawa State 

Roshan Global Services Limited (RGS) – Diko, Niger State                 

Sanitation and Hygiene Education Initiative (SAHEI) – Maiduguri, Borno State

The Vulnerable and Abused Intervention Initiative (VAII) – Jos South Local Government. Plateau State