Kuwait
This page is also available in Arabic
Overview
Kuwait has a fairly young but rapidly expanding NGO sector, which takes an active interest in issues both inside Kuwait and internationally. Local and international organisations are making significant progress in several areas of development. Moving forward, the key issues for development are international relations and institutional capacity. Many local and international organisations are exploring these issues and working to create a more efficient, accountable charitable sector.
The Humanitarian Forum has helped bring together 35 NGOs to discuss these challenges and the institutional needs of the sector. Empowered to create a forum to suit their needs, these 35 members have drafted the vision, mission and strategy of the local forum, the byelaws for the organization, and elected the members of the local board. Humanitarian Forum Kuwait (HFK) takes the form of an umbrella organisation enabling discussions in an open and constructive setting. Several needs assessments have been carried out, with member organisations identifying the need for the development of accountability and financial management systems.
Activities
In June 2009, a consultation workshop brought together HFK, representatives of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, the Charity Commission and Islamic Relief. The overall aim was to discuss capacity-building opportunities for local NGOs. HFK had also identified financial accountability as a priority. As a result of the workshop, a proposal for Capacity Building and Unified Accounting Systems Project has been drafted, and will be implemented early next year. The meeting looked at the sector's needs, and discussed a draft strategy and funding ideas.
