Revisiting the Troutbeck Resolution and Action Agenda | Where Are We?

In this video, Ernest Nyimai, Executive Director of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), provides a detailed update on the implementation of the Troutbeck Resolutions and Action Agenda. The update was delivered during the 15th edition of the NANGO Annual NGO Directors Summer Retreat, held on 27–28 November 2025 at the Urban Lifestyle Hotel in Masvingo. The conference ran under the theme “Navigating New Frontiers: Development Financing and Civic Space in Transition.” Ernest highlights how this year’s retreat builds on the progress and commitments made during the 14th Directors Summer Retreat. A key takeaway from Troutbeck was the call for self-regulation to strengthen sector credibility and accountability in response to the evolving regulatory environment. In line with this, NANGO integrated self-regulation into the draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under the PVO Amendment Act of 2025 and advanced sector-wide preparedness initiatives. He also notes the growing impact of the Quality Assurance Mechanism (QuAAM) as a transformative tool for institutional strengthening and sector-driven compliance. The Troutbeck outcomes also emphasised the importance of cultivating constructive relationships between civil society and regulators. One major achievement in this area has been the successful acceptance and expansion of NANGO’s Talk to Your Regulator (T2R) initiative across the sector. Amid growing financial uncertainty—driven by donor shifts, funding reductions, and global economic volatility—the retreat underscored the urgency of innovative and diversified resource mobilisation strategies. As a direct response, NANGO has introduced targeted Masterclasses for small and medium CSOs focusing on leadership development, fundraising, and resource mobilisation. Future rollouts will leverage insights from QuAAM assessments to ensure relevance and sector-wide impact. Localisation emerged as another strategic priority, emphasising local ownership, leadership, and sustainability within Zimbabwe’s civil society ecosystem. With limited structured engagement between local NGOs, INGOs, and donors, stakeholders called for a Zimbabwe-specific localisation framework, ideally anchored by a Tripartite Forum. Following Troutbeck, NANGO partnered with the ZAHA platform to elevate conversations with INGOs, culminating in the inaugural Localisation Symposium, which convened both INGOs and local NGOs to define parameters for a contextualised localisation agenda. The outcomes now inform the next phase of action, with NANGO committed to advancing implementation and integrating lessons from the 14th Directors’ Retreat. For continued updates, insights, and sector developments: Subscribe for more.