One frequently asked question we get is, “How does Lakaran Institute know how to help out CSOs in the barangay?”

It’s simple. We conduct a technical needs assessment meeting!

A technical needs assessment is a type of focus group discussion in which officials from different barangay civil society organizations are gathered and discuss how their organizations are doing, and what else they need to improve their situations.

In this case, we went to two barangays in Santa Barbara: Barangay Duyanduyan and Barangay Sangcate. We gathered three key organizations: farmers, solo parents, and persons with disabilities for Duyanduyan, and women, solo parents, and persons with disabilities for Sangcate.

These organizations discussed the status of their organization– how active the members are, their collaborations with other sectors or barangays, and the issues their organization and members face.

By knowing the challenges these organizations face both within and outside, we can help them solve their specific issues. Then, these organizations are empowered to participate in their barangay’s development- a development where no one is left behind.