Abstract Calls For Submission

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For many companies, effective management and communica- that for a year or two that one issue seems to dominate fund-tion of their corporate social investment (CSI) has become an ing agendas, to the exclusion of all others.operational imperative. Stakeholders have high expectations of OPENING THE MARKETcorporates; not just their economic performance but their The African Continent’s Global CSI Conference will open thesocial and environmental performance too. market for fairer funding, launching, in effect, a platform whereBusiness operations affect the well-being of people and the new programmes and issues may be brought to the attentionenvironment around the globe, yet little is known about how and of funders across Africa. Through the call for abstracts, thewhy companies invest in some CSI practices and not in others. organisers anticipate highlighting new social sector pro-Nor do people understand how such choices are affected by grammes that should be considered for funding.the cultural, socioeconomic and competitive contexts in which Abstract papers will also be used as a ‘current-reality-on-the-companies operate. There is a growing need for a clearer un- ground’ review, helping both funders and the social sector toderstanding between the social sector and corporates, partic- understand the realities facing individuals and communities.ularly regarding the CSI choices corporates make.THE FAVOURED AND THE UNFAVOURED OPPROTUNITIES FOR GROWTHQuestions arise regarding why some programmes are regularly The African Continent’s Global CSI Conference seeks to growfunded while others remain unfunded and unnoticed year after and mature both corporate social responsibility and the NGOyear. Reports in South Africa show that programmes that get and NPO sector. Both will have opportunities to present andthe most funding are those that focus on education, health, exhibit at this four-day event.food security, entrepreneurship and small business develop- The most compelling written submissions by social sector or-ment. Many others, such as environment, arts and culture, en- ganisations will form part of the conference’s body of printedergy, artificial intelligence and animal welfare, remain almost matter, and will be showcased, enjoying free advertising for thecompletely un-funded. year. In addition, the three top papers will receive ZAR75 000,In addition, tunnel funding has been a source of some frustra- ZAR50 000 and ZAR25 000, in seed funding (to help establishtion in the social sector. Tunnel funding is what happens when a a new project), propeller funding (to contribute to existingfunder adopts an issue – for example, school shoes or sanitary project costs) and sustainable funding (to top up the funds ofpads – and very quickly a high number of funders follow suit, so a well-established project) respectively. The funds will be ad- ministered by African Fund Managers’ Nnova Group.

For organisations seeking support, formal participation will The top six proposals will be selected prior to the confer-be by means of ence to present at the plenary sessions. These will be those which a panel of judges deems deserving of special atten-• initial submissions or abstracts tion due to the compelling nature of the issue raised and the persuasiveness of the argument to fund.• proposals and oral presentations• informative posters. Funders will be interested in a broad range of issues and their eventual decisions will be shaped by a variety of fac-Organisations whose abstracts are considered compelling tors, not solely excellence of presentation.will be asked to take the next step; to submit formal pro-posals and prepare oral presentations. Those whose ab- POSTERSstracts are not selected will have many opportunities to Posters are an alternative way to present a programme ornetwork, engage with funders and gain a keener under- area in need of funding. Organisations choosing this for-standing of South Africa’s development agenda, and are mat will need to present their key concerns in an attractive,urged to participate in other ways.AT THE CONFERENCE concise and informative A1 poster, and to be available toPresentations will be given simultaneously in various confer- elaborate on the content informally. Posters will be dis-ence rooms; each will be competing with several others to played and taken down at designated times and organisa- tions need to ensure that a knowledgeable and authoritativeattract attendees. Presentations should last about 25 person is at hand to speak informally to enquirers.minutes each, including question and answer sessions.Date Time Description18 Sep 2017 08:00 Calls for submission25 Nov 2017 17:00 Dates by when submissions can be recalled01 Dec 2017 17:00 Closing Date01 Feb 2018 TBC Calls for proposals01 Mar 08:00 Announcement of finalists

Brief abstracts and more detailed proposals both serve the PRACTICAL TIPS FOR ABSTRACTsame function; to draw attention to critical issues that face Abstracts must include sufficient information for reviewerscommunities and argue why these issues need funding. to judge the nature and significance of the programme or, inAbstracts are written as precursors to proposals and oral the case of new projects, the adequacy of research, thepresentations and should nature of the results and the conclusions. They should be• summarise the main points of your research or pro- concise and persuasively written.gramme and the challenges you seek to address; in Follow the format shown in the sample below, which has three sections:the case of new projects, briefly explain your re-search method, conclusions, proposal for action and Factual informationthe population you intend to serve; Your observations• persuade the reviewers that your programme fits Your programmethe requirements to advance the social sector or The first nine or ten lines covers basic factual informationcommunity in which you operate; regarding your research or existing programme. Under Your• be tightly written; abstracts should be no more than observations, summarise the conditions your project ad-500 words in length, and follow the format given at dresses or seeks to address. Explain how you conductedthe end of this call for abstracts. Some variation in research if the programme is new, analyse the situation youlength is allowed but very long abstracts will not be are concerned about and explain why you believe the situa-considered; tion needs the solution you offer.• include a presentation title and your contact infor- Under Your proposal, capture the essence of the work youmation, as per the format shown below. do or intend to do, giving as much structure and detail as you can within the confines of one page. Use Microsoft Word, 1.15 spacing, size 12 Times New Roman font.

 JANE MQAMELO—MOTHER AND EDITOR (AGE) Jane is a writer and editor with a strong interest in community development and education. She began her career as a graphic artist, working in magazines and corporates, but after a two-year period of volunteering in Europe and the US, switched focus to community devel- opment. She was a founder member of the Quaker Peace Centre in Cape Town, where she facilitated workshops on conflict resolution, ran children’s programmes, supported fledgling cooperatives and wrote educational materials. VISIT PROFILE>> FIKILE KUHLASE—FUTURISTI (AGE) Fikile has over 25 years’ experience in the private and public sector and international devel- opment sector. Her career spans across being Senior General Manager: Financial Inclusion at The Banking Association South Africa, and she has held senior management positions at international development agencies or programmes of the UN, USAID, DfID, JICA and SADCBA, the Industrial Development Corporation, Government and community-based or- ganisations. VISIT PROFILE>> DR MANDISA KHUMALO—SADICO (AGE) Experienced Business Manager, Telecommunications marketing specialist, senior Diplomat Spouse with a strong background in market intelligence and development, research, strate- gy, and analysis at economic and political levels. Led, managed and directed social and fund -raising activities for CSS members from fifty countries in collaboration with Chinese For- eign Affairs, charity foundations, local businesses and benefactors. Steered organization and influenced processes to innovatively solicit and negotiate sponsorship from business- es and increased the fund raising activities by 75%. VISIT PROFILE>> HANIF KRUGER—SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND Jane is a writer and editor with a strong interest in community development and education. She began her career as a graphic artist, working in magazines and corporates, but after a two-year period of volunteering in Europe and the US, switched focus to community devel- opment. She was a founder member of the Quaker Peace Centre in Cape Town, where she facilitated workshops on conflict resolution, ran children’s programmes, supported fledgling cooperatives and wrote educational materials. VISIT PROFILE>>

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