ECOWAS Standby Capacity (ESC)
The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) was established by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) in 2005 to reinforce the capacities of civil society in the sub-region. The Institute became operational in July 2007. WACSI is positioning itself to become a civil society knowledge sharing hub and a credible centre of learning with international recognition and accreditation. We envision a veritable civil society resource centre that caters for the capacity development needs of civil society organisations in West Africa. WACSI’s mission: WACSI is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to strengthen the institutional and operational capacities of civil society organisations through capacity strengthening programmes for increased and effective policy engagement, and the promotion of development, good governance and democratic values in West Africa. WACSI's Vision: WACSI envisions a West Africa of efficient, effective, and influential civil society functioning as strategic partners for democracy, good governance and sustainable national development.