The CLEEN Foundation has been granted special consultative status by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations in New York, United States of America.
The Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation, Dr Benson Olugbuo in a press statement explained that the consultative status will enable CLEEN Foundation to actively engage with ECOSOC and subsidiary bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat programmes, funds and agencies in a number of ways.
He said the recognition provides ample opportunity for CLEEN Foundation to regularly participate in the work of ECOSOC based on the nature and scope of work of the organisation.
According to him, the relationship enables ECOSOC or one of its bodies to seek expert information or advice from CLEEN Foundation with respect to matters in which the organisation possesses special competence.
He further explained that the Foundation has been afforded the opportunity to register and participate in events, conferences and activities of the United Nations, and organizations in general and to sit as an observer at public meetings of ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, the Human Rights Council and, under certain conditions, the General Assembly and other United Nations inter-governmental bodies.
He said in furtherance to the responsibilities and obligations accompanying the consultative status with ECOSOC of the United Nations, CLEEN Foundation is launching a Community of Practice Action Plan (CP-APS) for Civil Society Sustainability in Africa to mitigate the negative effects of Covid-19 pandemic on the activities of CSOs in the continent.
He said several CSOs in Africa are facing a critical threat from the Covid-19 pandemic due to funding constraints which has forced several organizations to downsize and lay-off staff at a time when the work of non-profits have become critical.
“The stark reality is that there has been an immediate and significant reduction in most civil society organisations’ cash liquidity which has affected operational mandates and work deliverables.
“As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ability of non-profits to respond to immediate and longer-term needs is fast reducing.
“Some of the challenges affecting organizations in the civil space include liquidity crisis, downsizing of operational capacity, financial and operational risks and shortfall in revenue as donor grants are dwindling drastically,” he said.
