Introduction

In an evolving development landscape, NGO Sustainability and Exit Strategy Planning are no longer peripheral considerations but central to ensuring lasting impact and responsible development practice. For non-governmental organizations, true sustainability means building resilient operational models that reduce dependency on external funding, cultivate local ownership, and strengthen community capacities to continue initiatives long after direct foreign assistance concludes. A well-conceived exit strategy, far from signaling failure, represents the ultimate success of a development intervention: achieving its objectives to the point where external support is no longer necessary, and local actors are fully empowered to drive their own progress. Without proactive planning for NGO Sustainability and Exit Strategy, organizations risk creating dependency, undermining local efforts, and seeing their valuable work unravel once external funding ceases. This essential training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master NGO Sustainability and Exit Strategy Planning.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to empower NGO leaders, program managers, strategic planners, fundraising professionals, and all personnel committed to long-term impact with the theoretical understanding and hands-on practical tools necessary to design and implement robust sustainability and exit strategies. Participants will gain a deep understanding of various sustainability models, explore different types of exit strategies, learn about conducting organizational and community capacity assessments, and acquire skills in diversifying funding, strengthening local governance, and planning for responsible transitions. The course will delve into topics such as resource mobilization, local ownership, institutional strengthening, knowledge transfer, partnership development, and ethical considerations in exit planning. By mastering the principles and practical application of NGO Sustainability and Exit Strategy Planning, participants will be prepared to ensure their organization's long-term viability, foster genuine community self-reliance, and leave a legacy of empowered and thriving communities.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• NGO Executive Directors and Senior Management
• Program Managers and Coordinators
• Strategic Planning Teams
• Fundraising and Resource Mobilization Officers
• Partnership and Localization Specialists
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) Specialists
• Board Members with strategic oversight responsibilities
• Consultants advising NGOs on organizational development
• Government Officials collaborating with NGOs.
• Anyone involved in ensuring the long-term impact of development programs.

Objectives

• Understand the core concepts of NGO sustainability and its multiple dimensions.
• Learn about various types and approaches to exit strategy planning in development.
• Acquire skills in assessing organizational and community readiness for transition.
• Comprehend techniques for diversifying funding sources for long-term sustainability.
• Explore strategies for strengthening local capacities and fostering genuine ownership.
• Understand the importance of effective knowledge transfer and documentation.
• Gain insights into managing risks and ethical considerations during exit transitions.
• Develop a practical understanding of developing and implementing comprehensive sustainability and exit plans.

Course Content

Module 1: Understanding NGO Sustainability

• Defining organizational sustainability in the non-profit context.
• Dimensions of sustainability: programmatic, financial, institutional, social.
• Moving beyond donor dependency: building resilient operating models.
• The imperative for sustainability planning: long-term impact and responsible development.
• Case studies of sustainable vs. unsustainable NGO models.

Module 2: Introduction to Exit Strategy Planning

• What is an exit strategy? Its purpose and benefits.
• Differentiating between planned and unplanned exits.
• Types of exit strategies: transition, handover, phase-out, integration, graduation.
• When and why to plan for an exit: project maturity, funding changes, achieved goals.
• Ethical considerations and the "Do No Harm" principle in exit planning.

Module 3: Assessing Readiness for Sustainability and Exit

• Conducting an organizational capacity assessment for sustainability.
• Evaluating community capacity and readiness for ownership.
• Identifying key indicators of readiness for transition.
• Stakeholder analysis: understanding perspectives on sustainability and exit.
• Data collection tools for assessing readiness (surveys, interviews, focus groups).

Module 4: Financial Sustainability and Resource Mobilization

• Diversifying funding sources: beyond traditional grants.
• Exploring innovative fundraising strategies: social enterprise, local philanthropy, crowdfunding.
• Cost recovery models and efficient resource utilization.
• Developing a robust financial sustainability plan.
• Building local fundraising capacity within partner organizations.

Module 5: Programmatic and Institutional Sustainability

• Ensuring programmatic relevance and demand beyond external funding.
• Integrating programs into existing local structures and government systems.
• Strengthening local governance and management capacity.
• Developing robust monitoring and evaluation systems for sustained impact.
• Fostering adaptive management for long-term program evolution.

Module 6: Local Ownership and Capacity Transfer

• Principles of genuine local ownership and leadership.
• Strategies for systematic capacity transfer and institutional strengthening.
• Mentoring, coaching, and peer-to-peer learning for local partners.
• Documenting processes, knowledge, and best practices for local retention.
• Building a culture of continuous learning and improvement locally.

Module 7: Managing the Exit Process and Risks

• Developing a comprehensive exit strategy action plan.
• Establishing clear timelines, roles, and responsibilities for the transition.
• Communication strategies during exit: internal, external, community.
• Identifying and mitigating risks associated with exit (e.g., funding gaps, loss of institutional memory).
• Addressing potential negative impacts on beneficiaries and staff.

Module 8: Post-Exit Monitoring and Lessons Learned

• Defining successful exit and its indicators.
• Mechanisms for post-exit monitoring and follow-up.
• Documenting lessons learned from the exit process.
• Disseminating knowledge and best practices to the wider sector.
• The role of ongoing partnerships and supportive relationships after formal exit.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 5 working days before commencement of the training.