About Us

The Civic Leadership Institute (CLI) is a Pan-African civic leadership accompaniment agency.
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WHO WE AREAbout Us

The Civic Leadership Institute (CLI) is a Pan-African civic leadership accompaniment agency, committed to supporting leaders in strengthening their role and impact in driving positive change in their communities.

CLI provides accompaniment in three fundamental areas essential for effective leadership: Leadership, Strategy and Sustainability.

Vision

CLI envisions a society where effective, inclusive, ethical, and transformational civic leaders inspire and drive positive, sustainable change in their communities and the world.

Mission

Our mission is to partner with change-makers worldwide in catalysing change through support, training, mentorship, and accompaniment for civic leaders eager to maximize their growth, impact, and influence.

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Our Priorities

To achieve our vision and pursue our mission, we focus on the following strategic priorities:

Ethical Leadership

The dearth of ethical leadership has become a significant contributor to the weakening of civil society in the world. The question today is; how do we develop a new generation of leaders who lead with compassion and integrity? In response to this, we design and implement a tailor-made biannual Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) for selected civic leaders. The CLA is a space co-owned by civic leaders themselves to reflect and recalibrate their leadership. After every CLA Edition, participants choose to become members of CLI, subscribing to a set of values and standards and committing to support one another in leading with integrity.

Sustainability

Many organisations are resting on fragile ground and shifting sand. The funding space has shifted radically. The question is: how do we build movements and organisations that thrive today while enduring for future generations? In response to this, CLI supports the development of effective strategies for organisations undergoing transitions or rapid institutional transformations to ensure sustainable growth, impact, and influence.

Knowledge Generation and Thought Leadership

Today, tyranny, authoritarianism, and injustice have evolved into sophisticated forms. The question is: what thought leadership, knowledge innovations, and investments do we need to put in place as civic leaders to go beyond mere activism and become more strategic? In response, CLI is investing in creating a hub for knowledge generation and thought leadership, supporting the production of essential resources and giving platforms for civic leaders to raise the leadership lead on their organisations and movements. You can visit our knowledge hub at www.civicleadershipacademy.com to explore the resources we are creating in collaboration with leaders around the world.

Solidarity and Community Building

We live today in a world that is divided. Leadership has become a lonely journey for many civic leaders. The scramble for resources has destroyed possible partnerships, creating unhealthy competition. The question is: how can we build bridges among civic leaders and foster authentic communities of support, compassion, and solidarity? Through physical and virtual convenings, CLI supports community-building initiatives for civic leaders, enabling them to find a supportive community of authentic connections and a place of solidarity in challenging times. If you want to become part of this community, use this link to learn more about how you can become a member of CLI.

https://civicleadershipinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/priorities-1280x1280.jpg

Our Priorities

To achieve our vision and pursue our mission, we focus on the following strategic priorities:

Ethical Leadership

The dearth of ethical leadership has become a significant contributor to the weakening of civil society in the world. The question today is; how do we develop a new generation of leaders who lead with compassion and integrity? In response to this, we design and implement a tailor-made biannual Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) for selected civic leaders. The CLA is a space co-owned by civic leaders themselves to reflect and recalibrate their leadership. After every CLA Edition, participants choose to become members of CLI, subscribing to a set of values and standards and committing to support one another in leading with integrity.

Institutional Sustainability

Many organisations are resting on fragile ground and shifting sand. The funding space has shifted radically. The question is: how do we build 3 movements and organisations that thrive today while enduring for future generations? In response to this, CLI supports the development of effective strategies for organisations undergoing transitions or rapid institutional transformations to ensure sustainable growth, impact, and influence.

Knowledge Generation and Thought Leadership

Today, tyranny, authoritarianism, and injustice have evolved into sophisticated forms. The question is: what thought leadership, knowledge innovations, and investments do we need to put in place as civic leaders to go beyond mere activism and become more strategic? In response, CLI is investing in creating a hub for knowledge generation and thought leadership, supporting the production of essential resources and giving platforms for civic leaders to raise the leadership lead on their organisations and movements. You can visit our knowledge hub at www.civicleadershipacademy.com to explore the resources we are creating in collaboration with leaders around the world.

Solidarity and Community Building

We live today in a world that is divided. Leadership has become a lonely journey for many civic leaders. The scramble for resources has destroyed possible partnerships, creating unhealthy competition. The question is: how can we build bridges among civic leaders and foster authentic communities of support, compassion, and solidarity? Through physical and virtual convenings, CLI supports community-building initiatives for civic leaders, enabling them to find a supportive community of authentic connections and a place of solidarity in challenging times. If you want to become part of this community, use this link to learn more about how you can become a member of CLI.

Foundational Areas of Leadership

Our foundational areas of leadership are leadership, strategy and sustainability.

Leadership

Everything rises and falls on leadership. Many civic leaders find themselves in positions of leadership because of their good activism. However, good activism does not simply become good leadership. Leading effectively is not a chance. It has to be intentional, and it starts here and now.

Strategy

Civic leaders confront the world’s most wicked problems. They do so in the face of adversity with limited resources. What sets the agenda for impact and success are the strategies they deploy.

Sustainability

It matters not how well you lead today if all you do will end the day you leave. This is the law of legacy. The change we seek can only make a difference if it is change that endures into the future. That is why sustainability matters.

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Teambuilding embodies a culture of belonging that fosters a genuine desire among individuals to contribute meaningfully to the creation of value for all members.
There is nothing important for a leader than the knowledge and assurance that all their hard work today leads to a secure future for the organization.
CLI works with organisations in developing and implementing leadership development programmes.
CLI works with organisations in developing and implementing leadership development programmes.
Does your board know what it is doing? Is your board fully aware of its leadership responsibilities within the organization.
Civic Leadership Experts take their time to provide mentorship to leaders and practitioners in the civic space.