ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- The Iloilo Caucus of Development Non-Government Organizations (ICODE) - a longstanding pillar of social development in the Iloilo with 15 active member-organizations – has strengthen its leadership competencies as it collaborated with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Capacitating Strategic Organizations to Strengthen the Civil Society Organization Sector (CSO2) project.
The said project together with USAID and its implementing partner, Save the Children Philippines (SCP), also enabled the ICODE to update its strategic plan, implement succession planning, improve financial stewardship, and bolster resource mobilization.
“We are very grateful for the assistance of our partner, USAID, and Save the Children Philippines, for it boosted our readiness to face new challenges, especially with the advent of digital technology and social media,” said Emmanuel “Boyet” Areño, ICODE Executive Director.
Andrea Halverson, Director of the USAID Philippines Office of Health noted that their support for ICODE is rooted in the principle of locally led development.
“This process empowers local actors, including individuals, communities, networks, organizations, private entities, and governments, to shape their own development agenda, design solutions, and harness the capacity, leadership, and resources needed to bring those solutions to fruition," Halverson said.
Aside from the program, ICODE also established a learning resource hub with the support of USAID through the SCP in 2022.
Meanwhile, the ICODE is celebrating its 30th year and will launch a new logo and
website that embody the network's vision, mission, and core values.
“Since then, we’ve been at the forefront of promoting community participation in all of our programs and projects. The interventions that we have employed have enabled grassroots organizations to participate in government processes and engage various stakeholders effectively because of our organizing, development of leaders, and capacity building,” Areño stressed.
Faye Joy A. Pabiona, ICODE knowledge management officer also said that the strength of ICODE is manifested in its consciousness to combine academic and scientific methods with experience-based and local knowledge systems in crafting interventions for a particular community.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, on the other hand, described ICODE as not just a network of civil society organizations “but a movement that brings together all advocates who are committed to making Iloilo City the best for its people.”
“With your help, we can build a city that we all can be proud of. Together we can all empower our civil society organizations and empower and uplift our community,” Treñas said. (AAL/JNH/PIA6 Iloilo)