The PACE Program

Oxfam Canada's Partnership for Cross-Sectoral Engagement (PACE) program was born with a hefty title and lofty goals. It was entirely unique and at times esoteric, an approach to development that required investment of not so much time as patience and not so much money as support. At its core, PACE was about patience.

PACE turned agency-driven development on its head, encouraging 11 organizations and networks in Ethiopia, Sudan and Somaliland to work together, to dream together and to build together. They gently confronted traditions, culture and entrenched mistrust and isolation, the fundamental barriers to development in the region. Through those relationships, the organizations and networks began playing a more active role in improving the social, economic and political life of their societies.

Change came organically, often slowly and sometimes painfully. PACE provided customized organizational development interventions, supported partner organizations in their own strategies and activities, and promoted collaboration and learning amongst civil society, government and the private sector.

PACE collaborated with Gender at Work an international collaborative that strengthens organizations to build equity and social justice - on a two-year gender action learning initiative in the Horn of Africa. The initiative worked to improve the capacity of 6 civil society organizations and networks in Ethiopia, Somaliland and Sudan to deliver their services and programs in a way that better takes into account women's and men's needs and potential. This is an account of our experience and results.