Navigating US Aid Freeze - Civil Society's Resilience and the Future of West Africa

The overarching goal of this engagement is to provide a safe space for civil society actors across West Africa and the region to discuss the impact of the US aid freeze on civil society and envision the sector in this changing aid architecture, share lessons and strategies for resilience, as well as collectively chart a sustainable path for the future.

The specific objectives include the following:

• Assess the immediate and long-term impacts of the US aid freeze on civil society operations, governance and development in West Africa.
• Explore how civil society is responding to the funding crisis, including strategies for resilience, alternative funding mechanisms, and advocacy and policy engagement.
• Discuss opportunities for strengthening local resource mobilization, fostering regional collaboration, and advocating for policy shifts to ensure the long-term sustainability of civil society in West Africa.