E Letter (January - March 2024)

Sector Research
Knowledge development to support your work in the charitable sector

Philanthropy Course at SZABIST University Islamabad

As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting philanthropy and civic engagement, PCP has been conducting an academic course for graduate students at SZABIST University. We are in the third consecutive year to continue with this activity. The course has begun for the spring semester 2024, covering various topics on the discourse of philanthropy. Our aim is to equip young students with knowledge and skills necessary to become active and engaged citizens, contributing positively to their communities and the society.

'Giving Pakistan' Research Update

PCP's research team, in collaboration with Dr. Adil Najam, the lead author of this study, has progressed well in developing content on various topics of philanthropy in Pakistan. In the process, some chapters are at advanced stages of completion that include giving by High-Net-Worth Individuals and the Business Sector in Pakistan. .

The ultimate goal of this research is to conceptualize the notion of philanthropic giving and provide evidence and ideas on the quantum and motivation of giving by various segments of society. The final output of this research is expected to be completed by the end of this year..

Strengthening Gender-Inclusive Programming through CSOs

With the support from Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) - Pakistan, the AGECS Project is nearing completion of its implementation phase. Key milestones achieved include the mapping of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Gilgit-Baltistan region and the preparation of a project report on capacity assessment, which evaluated CSOs' practices concerning gender-inclusive programs in the targeted areas.

Addressing the gaps identified in the CSO capacity assessment report, successful training sessions were conducted to provide strategic guidance and recommendations on gender-inclusive programming, drawing from best practices and lessons learned. The post-training report served as a guideline for the finalization of policy briefs, which will aid stakeholders in developing effective strategies to address gender inequality in the target areas.

Community of Practices (COP) Learning Event

The AGECS project, spearheaded by AKF, recently organized a learning event in Mombasa, Kenya, aimed at bringing together global partners to share insights and challenges encountered during project implementation in various regions. A five-day workshop was organized from 12-16 February 2024, where more than 100 delegates participated from various countries across Asia and East Africa to showcase their implemented projects on various gender themes.

The event was represented by two delegates from PCP, who shared the experiences of the project implementation regarding themes of gender equality and discussed the challenges and way forward to improve the practices and impact on the community.

Building Resilience of Civil Society and Youth to Covid-19 in GBC

The EU-funded project, 'Building Resilience of Civil Society and Youth to COVID-19 in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral (GBC)', is progressing into a new phase of collaboration. In partnership with the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), the development of Quality Standards Manuals is underway, aimed at dissemination to microenterprises across GBC. As part of this initiative, comprehensive training sessions will be conducted to equip microenterprises with the requisite knowledge and tools to effectively adhere to the established quality standards.

This collaboration underscores our dedication to strengthening the resilience of civil society and youth amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the empowerment of microenterprises with quality standards and training, the project aims to cultivate sustainable growth and resilience within the communities of GBC.