Reflection and deepening in Mukono
More than a year after their intensive five-day leadership training, twelve CSO leaders met again — this time for a two-day follow-up session in Uganda. Its purpose? In short: to reflect, refresh, and deepen. Whereas a Libre Foundation colleague led the earlier training, this time the honor was mine. All the important themes, such as leadership, communication, collaboration, conflict management, and strategic thinking, from earlier sessions were revisited. 

Training based on needs
During the follow-up, it was the participants themselves who determined the focus. After more than a year of applying what they had previously learned, they knew better than anyone where there was room for improvement — or where uncertainty remained. This resulted in a dynamic and effective program, tailored to their daily practice. 

The power of follow-ups
The meeting was more than just another opportunity for knowledge transfer and practice. We also looked back extensively. At the start of the original training, for example, everyone had their own challenges with storytelling and presentation. Some struggled with structure, others with voice or nerves. But after practice, a combination of calmness, confidence, and enthusiasm emerged. The stories became more powerful; the messages, clearer. Progress in leadership skills was already underway but became even more evident during the follow-up. 

In my opinion, the strength of this two-day session lay in the combination of looking back and looking forward. Reflection revealed beautiful insights. One participant, for instance, expressed it like this: “Because I can now clearly tell the story of my CSO, we better understand our clients and have seen an increase in referrals.” 

Leadership can be learned
What made this training in Mukono special to me? It showed that articulating what you want — clearly, persuasively, and with confidence — is not a given, but a skill that can be learned. A skill that strengthens leadership, clarifies organizations, and makes collaboration more effective. 

Perhaps even more important is the formation of a strong network. Participants know each other’s stories, can offer feedback, and continue to support each other afterward. This makes what has been learned not only sustainable, but also alive. And in the end, that is exactly what these trainings are all about.