This year, CIEL Foundation celebrates 20 years of partnerships with Mauritian NGOs, built on shared values of respect, dignity, and collaboration. Since its inception in 2004, the Foundation has been a pioneer, steered by a clear vision: to recognise NGOs as equal partners, valuing their expertise and deep understanding of their areas of intervention.

Over the past two decades, CIEL Foundation has built strong partnerships with key stakeholders in Mauritius’ social development landscape by staying true to its core values of respect and dignity. Delphine Bouic, Group Head of Community Engagement & Inclusion, explains: “We see NGOs as partners with whom we share a common mission: to strengthen the impact we make together, for those who need it most.” This philosophy has enabled the Foundation to nurture long-term partnerships and drive change in the NGO landscape in Mauritius.

To celebrate this milestone, CIEL Foundation will host two key events: the NGO Leadership Program and the NGO Forum. The Forum, which will take place on 14th October 2024, will bring together representatives from over 60 NGOs, providing them with a networking platform to enhance their collective impact.

Once again, CIEL Foundation is breaking new ground through the NGO Leadership Program, an innovative initiative designed to build the capacity of NGO leaders in Mauritius. Launched in July 2024, in collaboration with the Charles Telfair Institute, this four-month program offers local NGOs access to a leadership course that would otherwise have been out of reach due to financial constraints. “We believe that this kind of training, designed to fine-tune the skills of already competent individuals, is crucial for taking the NGO sector to new heights”, says Delphine Bouic.

Tailored to address the diverse challenges faced by non-profit leaders, the program focuses on strengthening leadership capabilities to drive greater effectiveness. Covering seven modules—including self-leadership, networking, strategic planning, project management, innovation, financial management, and human resources—the NGO Leadership Program aims to overcome the operational constraints that often limit impact. With an emphasis on active learning, sharing best practices, and peer collaboration, the program encourages participants to re-evaluate their current approaches, tackle pressing challenges, and emerge with a transformed vision of their role within their organisations.

CIEL Foundation has also been a pioneer in the funding of salaries—an uncommon practice when it was first introduced. Between 2004 and 2014, NGO staff salaries were not fully covered, despite being essential for ensuring the continuity of the work carried out by NGOs and their impact. “We quickly understood that volunteerism has its limits, and that paying salaries was key to ensuring long-term project sustainability and achieving our shared goals”, adds Delphine Bouic.

Driven by its guiding principle, “Towards Inclusion”, CIEL Foundation remains committed to supporting vulnerable communities by working together with NGOs on long-term projects across Mauritius. Reaffirming its commitment to Mauritian society at large, CIEL Foundation continues to adapt to the evolving needs of the local community. As Guillaume Dalais, Group Chief Executive of CIEL Group, explains: “For 20 years, CIEL Foundation has embodied the Group’s commitment to inclusion. By partnering with those working directly on the ground, we strive to adapt our initiatives to create lasting impact while remaining true to our purpose: to build a world we can all feel proud of. Supporting the NGO sector in Mauritius is vital, and as a Group, we firmly believe that our continued involvement strengthens and promotes a more inclusive society.”