The civil society sector in Vanuatu has taken a major step forward with new tools designed to boost transparency, improve reporting, and promote stronger partnerships across the country’s NGO landscape.
At its Annual General Meeting held at Ramada Resort in Port Vila, the Vanuatu Association of Non-Government Organisations (VANGO) officially launched the CSO Governance and Practice Guide, a new CSO Reporting Template, and Vanuatu’s first CSO Directory.
These tools aim to raise standards of transparency and good governance within VANGO’s 234 member organisations — made up of 192 Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), 16 International NGOs (INGOs), and 26 National NGOs (NNGOs).
In his keynote address, VANGO CEO Dr. Willie Tokon said the launch represents a major milestone in VANGO’s two-year effort to restructure and strengthen the civil society sector in Vanuatu.
“We are proud to unveil resources that will not only help our members operate ethically and professionally but also ensure better collaboration with government and development partners,” said Dr. Tokon.
The CSO Reporting Template is aligned with Vanuatu’s National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) and is designed to collect meaningful data on the contributions of CSOs across all pillars – social, environmental, and economic. It is also expected to support the Government’s decentralisation policy by providing clearer insights into where CSO support is concentrated throughout the provinces.
The CSO Directory, meanwhile, builds upon the existing VANGO Map and will help improve coordination and visibility of civil society work at both local and national levels. It provides a centralised reference for development partners, government departments, and the public.
Also introduced was the Good Governance and Practice Guide, a tool grounded in VANGO’s Code of Practice on Accountability and Transparency (CPAT). This guide aims to promote ethical behaviour, transparency, and sound governance practices within the NGO community.
Dr. Tokon expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the European Union, and VANGO’s Board and financial members for their continued support in strengthening the voice and impact of civil society organisations.
“We believe in strong partnerships – between government, civil society and our development partners – to address the real issues faced by Ni-Vanuatu communities,” he said.
The launch event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international and national NGOs, community-based organisations, and key stakeholders in the development sector.
Photo Credits: Sista
