Turning Community Ideas Into Lasting Change
We work alongside women, children, young people and underserved communities to advance opportunity, dignity and sustainable development.
Local action. Inclusive opportunity. Sustainable progress.
Foundation for Community Initiatives (FOCEI) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation established in 2019. We support vulnerable and low-resource communities, with a focus on women, children, young people and their families.
Our approach centres community participation, practical skills, equal opportunity and collaboration with civil society, public institutions and development partners. FOCEI is registered with Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), registration number 182317.
Equitable opportunity for everyone to participate in sustainable development.
A society where people and communities can actively shape the development that affects their lives.
Build a society that makes participation possible.
We work to promote equitable opportunities for active participation in the process of sustainable development.
Values that shape our work
We aim to work with integrity, respect and accountability in every community and partnership.
Honesty & Transparency
Acting with integrity and being accountable for our decisions and results.
Equality & Justice
Promoting fair opportunities and respect for human rights.
Care & Respect
Recognising the dignity, needs and contributions of every person.
Networking & Shared Vision
Building partnerships and working together towards common goals.
Performance
Focusing on practical action, learning and meaningful results.
Teamwork
Collaborating across communities and institutions to strengthen impact.
Where we focus our efforts
Our programmes respond to community priorities and aim to contribute to inclusive, sustainable development.
Community Empowerment
Strengthening local capacity, livelihoods and community-led solutions.
Education
Supporting inclusive and equitable learning opportunities.
Health
Promoting health awareness and community access to essential services.
Environment
Encouraging environmental protection, conservation and tree planting.
Gender Equality
Advancing women’s participation, leadership and equal opportunity.
Water & Sanitation
Promoting safe water, hygiene and improved community wellbeing.
Gender-Based Violence Prevention
Supporting awareness, prevention and safer communities.
Democracy & Good Governance
Encouraging citizen participation, accountability and human rights.
Peacebuilding
Supporting dialogue, conflict resolution and peaceful coexistence.
Communities are not just beneficiaries. They are partners in change.
FOCEI works to connect grassroots communities with knowledge, opportunities, civil society organisations and development partners. We believe sustainable progress is stronger when local people help identify priorities, shape solutions and participate in decisions.
Our work includes community engagement, awareness raising, capacity development, partnership building and initiatives that respond to local needs.
Working with communities and partners
Selected projects and experience listed in FOCEI’s existing organisational profile.
| Project / initiative | Period | Location | Funding / partner | Direct beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enhancing Women and Adolescent Girls’ Leadership Skills and Capacity to Mitigate GBV | 2021–2022 | Gombe State | Nigerian Women Trust Fund / Ford Foundation | 3,500 |
| Enhancing Youth Civic Participation in Governance and Leadership | 2022–2023 | Gombe State | Lead Africa, Nigerian Youth Future Fund, Ford Foundation and MacArthur Foundation | 5,3782* |
| Community interventions supporting uptake of COVID-19, HIV, TB and malaria services | 2022–2023 | Kwami | Global Fund / NACA / ATM | 5,044 |
| Citizen engagement and Citizen Accountability Report | 2022 | Gombe South Senatorial District | Gombe State Ministry of Finance and Economic Development | Not stated |
| Capacity building for Rural Resilience Activity beneficiaries | 2022 | Gombe | USAID / Mercy Corps | 250 |
| Community sensitisation on malaria prevention | 2021 | Akko LGA | Self-funded | 132 |
| Step-down training on budget analysis for civil society organisations | 2021 | Gombe | Self-funded | 11 |
*The youth project beneficiary figure appears as “5,3782” in the existing website text and should be verified against the official project report before publication. Other beneficiary figures are reproduced from the existing website content.
Clear responsibilities. Shared commitment.
FOCEI’s existing profile describes an Annual General Meeting, a six-member Board of Trustees and an Executive Committee led by the Chief Executive Officer / Executive Director. The Board provides oversight, planning and policy direction, while the executive team manages implementation and day-to-day operations.
Let’s build communities where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.
Join FOCEI as a volunteer, partner or supporter of community-led development.