Sustainable development is not only about what projects deliver. It is also about strengthening the institutions, systems, and people that can sustain those results long after interventions end. This principle was at the heart of a two-day capacity-building workshop held from 1–2 September 2026 in Pemba for implementing partners of the Resilient Investment for Socio-Economic Empowerment, Peace and Security (RISE-PS) Project.

The workshop brought together civil society organizations and government institutions working alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Agência de Desenvolvimento Integrado do Norte (ADIN) to deliver RISE-PS interventions in Cabo Delgado.

Facilitated by UNDP’s Project Management Support Unit, Finance and Procurement teams, the training strengthened partners’ practical knowledge of financial management procedures, procurement, asset and inventory management, and audit readiness.

Opening the workshop, Samuel Akera, UNDP Head of Pemba Sub-Office and RISE-PS Project Manager, emphasized the importance of strong institutional systems in translating programme investments into accountable and sustainable results for communities.

Dr. Gota Manuel, RISE-PS Project Coordinator at ADIN, similarly highlighted the importance of building the capacities of the institutions responsible for delivering the project.

"It is important that all actors involved are adequately capacitated to understand the programme’s objectives and effectively use the tools available for its implementation. Strengthening these capacities enables better guidance of activities on the ground, ensuring that they are aligned with the RISE-PS guidelines and objectives and, ultimately, contributing to the achievement of results and more sustainable local development," he noted. 

Rather than focusing only on policies and procedures, the workshop was designed around challenges encountered during programme implementation.

Participants reviewed common capacity gaps identified through prior assessments and worked through practical sessions on financial management, procurement planning and documentation, competitive procurement processes, segregation of duties, and asset and inventory management.

The second day placed particular emphasis on audit readiness, financial monitoring, and management of audit recommendations. Partners then translated the lessons from the workshop into action plans to address mapped institutional capacity gaps.

For participating government institutions, strengthening these systems also contributes to more effective public institutions and stronger accountability for development investments.

Participants included Fundação Azul, Associação Kuendeleya, Associação Dimongo, Fundação Nunisa, Associação PROMURA, Associação Okumi, Instituto de Formação Profissional e Estudos Laborais Alberto Cassimo (IFPELAC), Direcção Provincial da Indústria e Comércio de Cabo Delgado (DPIC), and Direcção Provincial de Agricultura e Pesca de Cabo Delgado (DPAP).

For civil society partners working closest to communities, the workshop also provided an opportunity to strengthen the organizational systems that underpin effective programme delivery.

“One practical lesson from this workshop was learning how to properly complete financial forms, an area where we previously had limited knowledge,” said Manuel Tomassene, Procurement Officer at PROMURA. “The initiative has been very useful for us as a community-based organization, particularly in strengthening our understanding of financial procedures and accountability. We also learned about the HACT approach for harmonizing financial fund transfers. Going forward, we will apply these lessons by following the required procedures more effectively, which we believe will contribute to better programme implementation, stronger accountability, and improved results at the end of the project.”

RISE-PS recognizes that lasting results depend not only on what we invest in, but also on the strength and capacity of institutions responsible for delivering those results. Strong financial controls protect development resources. Effective procurement helps ensure that resources are used wisely and deliver the best value for money. Good asset management safeguards programme investments. Clear accountability systems build trust between institutions, partners, communities, and funders. 

Strengthening these foundations is part of a broader effort to equip local institutions with capacity, accountability and resilience needed to deliver RISE-PS effectively and sustain its results over time. 

Implemented by UNDP, executed by ADIN and financed by the African Development Bank, RISE-PS seeks to advance socio-economic empowerment, peace and security while strengthening the systems and partnerships necessary for resilient and inclusive development in Cabo Delgado.