Regional workshops shape Centres of Excellence for disability inclusion

More than 80 practitioners and champions of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) and inclusive development (CBID) came together in regional workshops in Douala, Cameroon and Bangkok, Thailand this month. Together, they co-designed regional Centres of Excellence for CBR / CBID aimed at strengthening disability-inclusive development across Africa and Asia.

Why Centres of Excellence?

Led by Liliane Fonds, the initiative aims to consolidate decades of experience and advocacy into collaborative technical hubs that strengthen disability-inclusive development. Participants agreed that while the sector has achieved significant progress, its efforts remain fragmented. The proposed Centres will serve as knowledge and evidence platforms to improve program quality and promote integration of CBR/CBID principles into government systems.

As one participant reflected:
“The Centres of Excellence are not where CBR knowledge lives, it’s where CBR knowledge learns to travel.”

The concept originated from ‘Liliane Fonds’ dream fund’, created through an exceptional legacy gift that was intentionally shared beyond the organisation’s own network. This approach was welcomed during the workshops, with participants emphasising the importance of partnership, openness and shared learning.

From consultation to co-creation

In preparation for the workshops, over 130 stakeholders from different organisations were consulted. These discussions helped shape key aspects of the Centres, including their added value, core functions, governance models and long-term financial sustainability.

The workshop in Douala, hosted by Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, brought together 50 participants from 17 African countries. In Bangkok, hosted by the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, 33 representatives from 15 countries joined. Across both regions, participants endorsed co-leadership models that include partnerships with organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), academic institutions and CBR networks.

Looking ahead

It is aimed that steering groups for both regional Centres of Excellence will be established by the end of June, marking an important step towards turning the co-created vision into action.

More information?

For questions or more information, please contact Alodia Santos, Programme Manager at Liliane Fonds: asantos@lilianefonds.nl