The Secretariat Permanent des Organizations Non Gouvernementales (SPONG) was established in 1975 as a result of the fusion of 17 NGOs. SPONG which is the first umbrella Civil Society Organizations (CSO) umbrella organization in West Africa, aims to: (i) provide information and facilitate the actions of CSOs in Burkina Faso; (ii) promote consultation and guidance in the promotion of the voice of NGOs in the country; and (iii) represent its member NGOs and associations as well as interface with Government and other institutions on behalf of member NGOs and associations. In December 2003 the ACBF Executive Board approved a grant of US$ 2 million towards Projet de Renforcement de l'Interface Etat - Secteur Privé - Société Civile (PARECAP).
The purpose of the Projet de Renforcement de l'Interface Etat - Secteur Privé - Société Civile (PARECAP) project was to strengthen or revitalize the interface among the public sector, the private sector and civil society in Burkina Faso. The project will thus seek to strengthen not only the institutional capacities of both the CCIA and SPONG in the discharge of their interface functions, but will also enhance other relevant public sector, private sector and civil society organizations to enable them to strengthen their voices and play a more active, informed and effective role in influencing the articulation, design and implementation and advocacy of public policies in Burkina Faso.
