Uniting Communities: Oxfam's Grant Awards Ignite Social Cohesion in North-East Nigeria
Ward Development Support Committee members at the award ceremony for the grant competition.
Photo: Maxwell Osarenkhoe/Oxfam
On the 2nd of March 2024, marked a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering community-led action for social cohesion. Oxfam organized a grant award ceremony for Ward Development Support Committees in Michika local government, Adamawa State, marking the first phase of a transformative competition.
Grassroots Initiatives for Social Cohesion:
With the goal of propelling grassroots initiatives that enhance social cohesion, the competition attracted 16 enthusiastic participating groups from various communities across Michika local government area. These groups, driven by a shared vision of positive change, presented innovative community led projects designed to address local challenges and promote unity within their neighbourhoods.
During the ceremony, held with much anticipation and excitement, Oxfam awarded a total of ₦4,050,000 in cash prizes to the deserving winners. This financial support not only recognized the dedication and ingenuity of the participating groups but also provided crucial resources to bring their community projects to fruition.
Catalyst for Collaboration:
The grant award ceremony served as a catalyst for collective action and collaboration, inspiring communities to work towards common goals. By empowering local initiatives, Oxfam aims to build sustainable solutions rooted in the needs and aspirations of the people we serve, thus enhancing social cohesion.
Next Phase:
In the coming weeks, Oxfam is poised to launch the next phase of the competition. A new validation process will be initiated to evaluate projects submitted by the Ward Development Committees. With a total of ₦6,100,000 in cash prizes to be awarded in April, Oxfam remains committed to supporting and amplifying the voices of grassroots leaders driving positive change in their communities.
As the competition continues to unfold, the spirit of empowerment and collaboration fostered by Oxfam in Nigeria's initiatives will undoubtedly pave the way for a brighter, more cohesive future for communities across the country.
This project, "Improving Social Cohesion Through Community Development Planning," is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
