In Brief

About the initiative

The RINGO Project is a systems change initiative that seeks to re-imagine international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and the role of the global civil society. The initiative was created and during its first phase hosted by Rights CoLab. As of the beginning of 2023, the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) has taken over the hosting of the RINGO project phase 2. This includes, above all, convincing INGO boards and donors of the benefits of locally led action.

INGOs are under immense pressure to transform and are no longer fit for purpose: internally, issues around gender, safeguarding, race and power are being questioned; externally, the challenges they face from climate change to global inequality, conflict and now a global pandemic seem to have left INGOs unable to truly respond with sufficient efficacy to change the status quo.The aim is to not only transform single institutions. There is a need to change the system in which INGOs function, too. The RINGO project started off convening 55 innovators who represent ‘the system’ of INGOs (including southern partners, funders and INGO leaders) in a social lab, to rapidly develop and launch prototypes that can transform institutions and the systems in which they function.

Podcast

Why is it that peace is rarely sustainable? Is it perhaps rather a systemic issue than an accumulation of individual failures? This interview on RINGO is thought-provoking. Click on the play button and explore how this initiative integrates local voices to re-invent the role of international NGOs.

Video: RINGO - the Journey so far

What a journey RINGO has been so far! Deborah Doane, partner of the Rights CoLab, provides important insights into the structure, strategy, and ambition of this ever-growing initiative.

Contact person

Nancy Kankam Kusi
West Africa Civil Society Institute
e-mail to Nancy Kankam Kusi