2024-10-23T19:10:42-05:00 2023-12-31 521392008 GELMAN ROSENBERG & FREEDMAN 4550 MONTGOMERY AVE SUITE 800N BETHESDA MD 208142930 990 2023-01-01 980118876 TOSTAN INC TOST 2025053925 1199 N FAIRFAX ST 300 ALEXANDRIA VA 22314 ELENA BONOMETTI CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2025053925 2024-10-23 1 0 RICHARD J LOCASTRO CPA P00288314 3019519090 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z ELENA BONOMETTI 1199 N FAIRFAX ST 300 ALEXANDRIA VA 22314 13083760 0 X WWW.TOSTAN.ORG X 1991 DE SEE PART III, LINE 1. 9 8 5 12 0 0 8035049 12209010 453210 459139 6536 141794 0 0 8494795 12809943 266047 146609 0 0 6211140 5959898 0 0 1331252 6290309 5483242 12767496 11589749 -4272701 1220194 20666966 23582603 674940 547544 19992026 23035059 X TOSTAN EMPOWERS COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP AND ACHIEVE THEIR VISION FOR THE FUTURE AND INSPIRES LARGE-SCALE MOVEMENTS LEADING TO DIGNITY FOR ALL. 0 0 9115573 146609 459139 IN SEEKING TO SCALE COMMUNITY WELL-BEING AS A PART OF ITS STRATEGY 2023-2030, TOSTAN HAS A RANGE OF INTER-RELATED PROGRAM SERVICES: DIRECT IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS AND IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERSHIPS WITH AFFILIATES; SHARING AND MUTUAL LEARNING INCLUDING TRAINING, A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE, CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT, AND GLOBAL INFLUENCE INCLUDING CONVENING AND ENGAGEMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL ACTORS.A. DIRECT IMPLEMENTATIONIN RELATION TO ITS DIRECT IMPLEMENTATION AND AFFILIATION PROGRAMS, IN 2023, TOSTAN OPERATED IN 5 COUNTRIES AND HAD THE FOLLOWING REACH(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) 9115573 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 X 9 0 1 5 1 0 1 ML GV PU SG GA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 9 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AL CA CO CT DE FL GA IL MD MA NJ NM NY OH PA TN UT VA WA DC NC X X KADJI DIOP 2025053925 5 CITE AELMAS OUEST FOIRE EN FACE DAKARYOFF SG MOLLY MELCHING FOUNDER 40.00 X 91200 0 5499 KELLY BAXTER CO-CHAIRPERSON 3.00 X X 0 0 0 FATIMATA SY CO-CHAIRPERSON 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MARY ELLEN CUNNINGHAM SECRETARY (UNTIL 12/2023), DIRECTOR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CELESTE BARONE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 THIABA CAMARA SY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JAN CHRISTIANSEN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PAPE MOMAR SOW DIRECTOR (UNTIL 5/2023) 1.00 X 0 0 0 TERRENCE NGWA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DIAKA SALL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELENA BONOMETTI CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 40.00 X 180399 0 48354 KADJI DIOP CHIEF FINANCE & OPS. OFFICER, TREAS. 40.00 X 164955 0 39276 CARINA NDIAYE CHIEF PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER 40.00 X 134977 0 7651 571531 0 100780 3 0 1 0 ERIC HAZARD 30 ALLEE DES CAMELIAS VILLENEUVEDASCQ FR 59650 STRATEGIC ADVISORY 103930 1 758429 11450581 1149 12209010 TRAINING CENTER 900099 459139 459139 459139 122854 122854 292757 273817 18940 18940 18940 12809943 459139 0 141794 X 146609 146609 672311 167236 221545 283530 4507430 3939450 239760 328220 423877 389575 6193 28109 339535 282940 24640 31955 16745 13466 1387 1892 43544 23915 6668 12961 88735 88735 32454 32454 1652432 956264 177879 518289 148654 107486 29730 11438 353503 313529 15829 24145 481081 347848 52759 80474 940 680 103 157 147610 130919 6609 10082 PROGRAM TRAINING COSTS 2534289 2295656 238633 11589749 9115573 1142924 1331252 6138242 1574690 2448375 2622188 574364 6787139 285397 109407 320370 37893 1968524 1231587 813467 736937 10086751 11714349 20666966 23582603 674940 547544 674940 547544 X 18092018 14579402 1900008 8455657 19992026 23035059 20666966 23582603 X 1220194 1642171 180668 X 0 1 X 1 0 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 249064 249064 475492 285423 190069 612851 444587 168264 631117 501577 129540 736937 14419660 1642171 1642171 12777489 32454 32454 12809943 11557295 0 11557295 32454 32454 11589749 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 SCHEDULE E, PART I, LINE 3 TOSTAN HAS A RACIALLY NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY IN PLACE. THE POLICY IS ALSO PUBLISHED IN FRENCH, ENGLISH AND PORTUGUESE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE ORGANIZATION ONLY WORKS IN AFRICA, THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES IS AFRICAN, AS ARE 99% OF ITS EMPLOYEES. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION'S EDUCATION EFFORTS WITHIN COMMUNITIES ARE ON-GOING AND THERE IS NOT A SPECIFIC SOLICITATION OR REGISTRATION PERIOD. SCHEDULE E, PART I, LINE 6 DURING 2023, TOSTAN RECEIVED $758,429 OF NON-U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. 1 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 13 589 PROGRAM SERVICE ACTIVITIES COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (CEP), POST-CEP (REINFORCEMENT OF PARENTAL PRACTICES, FISTULA PROJECT, PRISON PROJECT, PEACE & SECURITY PROJECT) 8968964 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 1 55 MANAGEMENT & GENERAL 1142924 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 0 0 GRANTS TO RECIPIENTS LOCATED IN THE REGION 146609 14 644 0 0 14 644 10258497 0 10258497 1 0 0 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 2: TOSTAN AND THE GRANTEE SIGN A CONTRACT THAT DEFINES THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, THE BUDGET AND THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE. IN ADDITION, THE GRANTEE IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE DETAILED EXPENSE REPORTS TO TOSTAN. GENERAL EXPLANATION: SCHEDULE F, PART I REPORTS $146,609 OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS. NONE ARE DETAILED IN PART II BECAUSE NO SINGLE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED OVER $5,000 OF ASSISTANCE. X 1 1 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ELENA BONOMETTI CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 180399 0 0 0 0 0 39600 0 8754 0 228753 0 0 0 KADJI DIOP CHIEF FINANCE & OPS. OFFICER, TREAS. 164955 0 0 0 0 0 35522 0 3754 0 204231 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 1A THE HOUSING ALLOWANCE FOR ELENA BONOMETTI AND KADJI DIOP WAS $14,950 EACH. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM SERVICE: THROUGH ITS MAJOR PROGRAM, THE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (CEP): THE SOCIAL MOBILIZATION ACTIVITIES REACHED 170 NEW COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING 120 NEW COMMUNITIES IN SENEGAL AND 50 COMMUNITIES IN MALI. THIS INCREASED THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES COVERED BY TOSTAN'S PROGRAMS TO 3,074 SINCE 2019, INCLUDING 750 NEW COMMUNITIES IN 2023. 22,946 COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (CEP) PARTICIPANTS IN FOUR COUNTRIES - SENEGAL, MALI, THE GAMBIA, AND GUINEA BISSAU. IN GUINEA CONAKRY, WHERE TOSTAN PREVIOUSLY DID DIRECT IMPLEMENTATION, THE ORGANIZATION NOW PARTNERS WITH CEGUIFED, A LOCALLY REGISTERED AFFILIATE (PLEASE SEE D., FAR BELOW). 468 COMMUNITIES WERE COVERED BY TOSTAN PROGRAMS IN GAMBIA, GUINEA-BISSAU, MALI, SENEGAL, AND GUINEA CONAKRY. 79% OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WERE WOMEN AND GIRLS. 2,464 NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES REACHED THROUGH CEP PARTICIPANT OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. 132 COMMUNITIES COVERED BY A PEACE AND SECURITY PROJECT (100 IN SENEGAL AND 32 IN GUINEA CONAKRY). 751 LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM MALI AND SENEGAL TRAINED ON STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. 95 PARTICIPANTS FROM 11 COUNTRIES TRAINED AT THE TOSTAN TRAINING CENTER. 432 COMMUNITIES PARTICIPATED IN 9 PUBLIC DECLARATIONS OF ABANDONMENT OF HARMFUL PRACTICES IN SENEGAL, GAMBIA, AND GUINEA-BISSAU. 925 AWARENESS-RAISING CAMPAIGNS ORGANIZED TO PROMOTE PEACE AND HUMAN SECURITY. TOSTAN ALSO WORKED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO CONDUCT A WIDE RANGE OF ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING ACTIVITIES, REACHING MANY HUNDREDS MORE COMMUNITIES. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR A SUMMARY OF TOSTAN'S MAIN PROGRAMMING EFFORTS ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS IN 2023. THE TOSTAN COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (CEP): OUR UNIQUE THREE-YEAR PROGRAM EMPOWERS COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN FIVE WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES WITH THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THEY NEED TO LEAD THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT. THE CEP IS A NON-FORMAL EDUCATION PROGRAM, BASED ON HUMAN RIGHTS, AND IS IMPLEMENTED IN MORE THAN A DOZEN LOCAL LANGUAGES. IT COMBINES MODERN EDUCATION TECHNIQUES WITH TRADITIONAL AFRICAN ORAL TEACHING METHODS AND IS UNDERPINNED BY A RESPECTFUL APPROACH TO LOCAL BELIEFS AND CULTURE. IMPACT AREAS: OUR WORK USES A HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR COMMUNITY-LED DEVELOPMENT, AND OUR IMPACTS ARE FOUND ACROSS FIVE KEY AREAS: GOVERNANCE, EDUCATION, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. EACH RESULT AREA IS ELABORATED UPON BELOW: GOVERNANCE: CEP PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, LEADERSHIP, DECISION-MAKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING. EACH COMMUNITY DEMOCRATICALLY SELECTS 19 MEMBERS TO FORM A COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (CMC) AND RECEIVES TRAINING IN THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT PROJECTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THESE COMMITTEES CONSTITUTE A STRONG LEADERSHIP PRESENCE IN TOSTAN COMMUNITIES, CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY. THEY WORK TO INCREASE DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION BY ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN AT BIRTH, TO VOTE AND RUN FOR OFFICE AS WELL AS PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL ELECTIONS. THE PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP OF WOMEN IN CMCS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED, AND IN 2023, 100% OF CMCS IN GUINEA, GUINEA-BISSAU, MALI, GAMBIA, AND SENEGAL HAD A MAJORITY OF FEMALE MEMBERS. THESE WOMEN EMERGE AS COMMUNITY LEADERS, ACTIVISTS, AND ROLE MODELS, SHOWING YOUNG GIRLS AND BOYS ALIKE THAT WOMEN CAN SUCCEED IN LEADERSHIP ROLES AND WORK ALONGSIDE MEN AS EQUALS. EDUCATION: CMCS ORGANIZED DURING THE CEP-LED INITIATIVES THAT ENSURE GIRLS AND BOYS ARE ENROLLED IN SCHOOL. WHEN A FAMILY IS CONSIDERING REMOVING THEIR CHILD FROM SCHOOL, CMC MEMBERS MEET WITH THEM TO DISCUSS OTHER POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. CHILD/FORCED MARRIAGE IS ONE PRACTICE THAT IS A KEY FACTOR IN DETERMINING WHETHER A GIRL WILL STAY IN SCHOOL. FOLLOWING THEIR PARTICIPATION IN OUR HOLISTIC PROGRAM, HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRIES IN WHICH WE WORK PLEDGED TO ABANDON CHILD/FORCED MARRIAGE IN 2023, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO 10,457. AS A RESULT, THOUSANDS OF GIRLS ARE LIKELY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY IN SCHOOL FOR LONGER, RATHER THAN BE MARRIED AT A YOUNG AGE. IN THE FINAL MODULE OF THE CEP, THE AAWDE, PARTICIPANTS LEARN TO READ AND WRITE IN THEIR LOCAL LANGUAGE AS WELL AS SEND AND RECEIVE SMS TEXT MESSAGES THROUGH THE MOBILE PHONES FOR LITERACY AND DEVELOPMENT (MPLD) MODULE DESCRIBED BELOW. THE MODULE ENCOURAGES PARTICIPANTS TO PRACTICE AND SHARE THEIR NEWLY ACQUIRED LITERACY SKILLS. IN 2023 TOSTAN CONTINUED BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES AND PARTNERSHIPS AROUND ITS REINFORCEMENT OF PARENTAL PRACTICES (RPP) PROGRAMMING, WHICH BUILDS ON KNOWLEDGE GAINED DURING THE CEP TO ENABLE PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS CHILDREN'S EARLY DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING IN ORDER TO BETTER PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND LIFE (SEE ALSO EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BELOW). IN 2023, WE ENGAGED WITH 30 COMMUNITIES IN THE KOLDA REGION OF SENEGAL WITH OUR NEW ECD PARTNER, VROOM, ADDING A SELECTION OF THEIR SCIENCE-BASED "TIPS" TO STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF PARENTS AND CARETAKERS TO SUPPORT INFANT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT. WE ALSO INTEGRATED A TECHNOLOGY-BASED INNOVATION INTO THE PROGRAM USING AMPLIO'S TALKING BOOK DEVICES TO RECORD CONTENT ON ECD. THIS INNOVATION ALLOWS PROJECT PARTICIPANTS TO CONTINUALLY REVIEW THE VROOM TIPS AND TOSTAN-DEVELOPED STORYBOOKS TOGETHER IN CLASS AND WITH OTHER FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. TO DATE 462 COMMUNITIES HAVE BENEFITTED FROM TOSTAN'S RPP PROGRAMS SINCE 2012. HEALTH: DURING THE CEP, PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THEIR RIGHT TO HEALTH AND THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE, ABOUT HYGIENE AND HOW DISEASES ARE SPREAD AND PREVENTED. THEY ALSO DISCUSS THE HEALTH RISKS OF HARMFUL PRACTICES SUCH AS FEMALE GENITAL CUTTING (FGC) AND CHILD/FORCED MARRIAGE. THE CEP ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE THEY GAIN ABOUT HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS WITH THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKS, AND COMMUNITIES OFTEN LAUNCH SPECIFIC INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE CHILD AND MATERNAL HEALTH IN THEIR VILLAGES. COMMUNITIES RAISE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATIONS AS WELL AS TAKE ACTION TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HYGIENE AND PREVENT DISEASES SUCH AS MALARIA. ENVIRONMENT: OUR CEP EQUIPS COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO FIND CREATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. DURING THE CEP, PARTICIPANTS LEARN HOW DISEASES ARE TRANSMITTED AND HOW THIS IS LINKED TO UNHYGIENIC PRACTICES THAT CAN POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT. OUR RESPECTFUL AND NON-JUDGMENTAL APPROACH PROMOTES COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT. AS A RESULT, COMMUNITIES LEAD INITIATIVES TO MAKE THEIR ENVIRONMENTS MORE HYGIENIC IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY'S HEALTH. COMMUNITIES ALSO USE THEIR PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS TO IMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS THEIR PARTICULAR NEEDS. ECONOMIC GROWTH: THE FINAL PHASE OF THE CEP, THE AAWDE, INCLUDES CLASS SESSIONS ON BASIC LITERACY, MATH, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, AND BUDGETING SKILLS THAT HELP PARTICIPANTS SUCCESSFULLY PLAN AND LAUNCH SMALL BUSINESSES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE ALSO PROVIDE SMALL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS TO CMCS. THE CMCS OFTEN USE THESE GRANTS TO ESTABLISH A ROTATING MICROCREDIT FUND THAT HELPS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY WOMEN, WITH THE INVESTMENT THEY NEED TO START SMALL BUSINESSES, INVEST IN AGRICULTURE, OR TAKE ON OTHER INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES. THE CMC ALSO ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SAVE AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES: IN ADDITION, OUR WORK ADDRESSES CROSS-CUTTING THEMES IMPORTANT FOR COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. THESE ISSUES INCLUDE CHILD PROTECTION, THE REINFORCEMENT OF PARENTAL PRACTICES, THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS, AND FEMALE GENITAL CUTTING (FGC). WE BELIEVE THAT THESE CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES REQUIRE HOLISTIC AND HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED SOLUTIONS, AND OUR PROGRAM AIMS TO STRENGTHEN POSITIVE SOCIAL NORMS WHILE ADDRESSING THOSE THAT LEAD TO HARMFUL PRACTICES. FGC: THE HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED CEP ALLOWS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO DRAW THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS ABOUT FGC AND LEAD THEIR OWN MOVEMENTS FOR CHANGE. IN THE CEP CLASS SESSIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS, PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THEIR RIGHT TO HEALTH AND THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE. THEY ALSO DISCUSS THE RESPONSIBILITIES THEY SHARE TO PROTECT THESE RIGHTS IN THEIR COMMUNITY. IN SESSIONS ON HEALTH, THEY LEARN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL, IMMEDIATE, AND LONG-TERM HARMFUL CONSEQUENCES OF THE PRACTICE AND DISCUSS WAYS TO PREVENT THESE HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM SERVICE: RATHER THAN BLAMING OR CRITICIZING, WE ENCOURAGE DIALOGUE AROUND THESE AND OTHER PRACTICES THAT COMMUNITIES FEEL HINDER THEIR VISION FOR THEIR COMMUNITY'S DEVELOPMENT. PARTICIPANTS AND COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (CMC) MEMBERS SPEAK WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AS WELL AS TRAVEL TO OTHER COMMUNITIES TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED. THROUGH THIS PROCESS, MANY COMMUNITIES DECIDE TO END FGC TOGETHER, SOME WITHOUT HAVING DIRECTLY PARTICIPATED IN OUR CLASSES. IN 2023, 9 PUBLIC DECLARATIONS WERE HELD BY 432 COMMUNITIES IN SENEGAL, THE GAMBIA, AND GUINEABISSAU TO ANNOUNCE THEIR DECISION TO ABANDON HARMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICES. CHILD PROTECTION: THROUGH OUR CEP MODULE ON CHILD PROTECTION, CMCS ARE TRAINED TO ADDRESS THE DEEP SOCIAL NORMS AND PRACTICES THAT NEGATIVELY AFFECT CHILDREN. THE CHILD PROTECTION MODULE TRAINING IS FOR CMC MEMBERS IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE CEP. THE MODULE HELPS BUILD CONSENSUS AROUND HUMAN RIGHTS AND CHILDREN'S RIGHTS WHILE BUILDING AWARENESS OF THE VARIOUS MORAL, SOCIAL, AND LEGAL NORMS THAT AFFECT CHILDREN. INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON IMMEDIATE RELIEF, THE MODULE HELPS COMMUNITIES ADDRESS THE DEEP SOCIAL NORMS AND PRACTICES THAT ARE AT THE SOURCE OF THESE ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN. IT EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND INTRODUCES IDEAS FOR HOW COMMUNITIES CAN WORK TOGETHER TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN. THE CHILD PROTECTION MODULE STRENGTHENS THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN AND PREVENT VIOLATIONS OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS BY REINFORCING THE CAPACITIES OF COMMUNITIES AND THEIR SURROUNDING VILLAGES TO IDENTIFY AT-RISK CHILDREN, REINFORCING THE CAPACITIES OF COMMUNITIES TO PREVENT THE TRAFFICKING OR MIGRATION OF CHILDREN TO URBAN CENTERS, REINFORCING THE CAPACITIES OF COMMUNITIES TO HELP CHILDREN IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS SUCH AS SEXUAL ABUSE, INCEST, FORCED MARRIAGE AND FGC, AND FOSTERING THE CREATION OF DYNAMIC AND FUNCTIONAL COMMISSIONS FOR CHILD PROTECTION IN ALL COMMUNITIES. ALL COMMUNITIES WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE CEP, SPECIFICALLY THE CMCS, ARE TRAINED IN THE CHILD PROTECTION MODULE. AFTER THE TRAINING, CMCS ESTABLISH COMMISSIONS FOR CHILD PROTECTION (CCPS), WHICH LEAD THE COMMUNITY IN ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND TRANSFORMING EXISTING SOCIAL NORMS THAT SUSTAIN HARMFUL PRACTICES. THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN HAVE BEEN REGISTERED AT BIRTH BY CMCS, IMPROVING THEIR ACCESS TO SCHOOL AND LEGAL RECOGNITION. IN ADDITION TO LEADING THESE COMMUNITY-WIDE PROJECTS, CMCS ALSO INTERVENE DIRECTLY IN CASES OF CHILD ABUSE. EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT: IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, TOSTAN DEVELOPED THE REINFORCEMENT OF PARENTAL PRACTICES (RPP) MODULE BEGINNING IN 2012. THE MODULE AIMS TO REINFORCE KNOWLEDGE GAINED IN THE CEP THAT ENCOURAGES PARENTS AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT. AS A RESULT, THE MODULE WILL HELP IMPROVE CHILDREN'S EARLY DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING, ALLOWING THEM TO PERFORM BETTER AND STAY IN SCHOOL. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT CERTAIN SOCIAL NORMS AND TRADITIONAL PRACTICES IN SENEGAL CAN HINDER THE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT OF INFANTS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE BELIEF THAT INFANTS MUST BE PROTECTED FROM DANGEROUS SPIRITS: TO PROTECT THEM CERTAIN PARENTS AVOID LOOKING NEWBORN BABIES IN THE EYE AND SPEAKING REGULARLY AND DIRECTLY TO THEM. HOWEVER, RECENT DISCOVERIES ABOUT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT IN YOUNG CHILDREN HAVE SHOWN IMPORTANCE OF STIMULATING INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN. DURING THE RPP MODULE, FACILITATORS SHARE WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS SIMPLE TECHNIQUES THAT ENRICH INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PARENTS AND THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN AND ARE ALL LINKED TO CHILDREN'S BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS TO EDUCATION AND HEALTH. THESE TECHNIQUES INCLUDE SPEAKING TO THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN USING A RICH AND COMPLEX VOCABULARY, ASKING THEIR CHILDREN QUESTIONS AND HELPING THEM RESPOND, PLAYFULLY COPYING THEIR CHILDREN, TELLING THEM STORIES, AND DESCRIBING OBJECTS IN DETAIL TO THEM. PRIMARY CAREGIVERS IN EACH COMMUNITY ARE TRAINED TO TEACH OTHERS THE SAME SKILLS AFTER TOSTAN LEAVES. SINCE TOSTAN FIRST PILOTED THE REINFORCEMENT OF PARENTAL PRACTICES MODULE IN 30 COMMUNITIES IN 2012, THE ORGANIZATION HAS GROWN THE PROGRAM TO REACH 430 COMMUNITIES IN SENEGAL. IN 2023, TOSTAN CONTINUED ACTIVITIES TO IMPLEMENT A NEW VERSION OF THE RPP IN 30 COMMUNITIES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDINA YORO FOULAH. TOSTAN'S EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE SUPPORTING POSITIVE SOCIAL NORMS ON PARENTAL PRACTICES WILL BE COMBINED WITH SCIENCE-BASED "TIPS" DEVELOPED BY TOSTAN PARTNER VROOM TO PROMOTE INFANT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL BE ADAPTED AND SHARED WITH COMMUNITIES IN SENEGAL IN 2023. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO WORKED WITH PARTNER AMPLIO TO DEVELOP "TALKING BOOKS" TO REINFORCE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF ITS PROGRAMS. STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY AND CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT: TOSTAN HAS CONTINUED TO DEVELOP PROGRAMMING AND OVERALL PROGRAMMING STRATEGIES FOCUSED ON DECENTRALIZED GOVERNANCE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH DECENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT SERVICES. IN 2023, TOSTAN CONTINUED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A CURRICULUM TO SUPPORT IMPROVED DECENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND RESOURCES THROUGH AN APPROACH THAT TRAINS COMMUNITIES AND LOCALLY ELECTED OFFICIALS ALIKE. TOSTAN HAS ALSO ADOPTED THE BROADER SDCE FRAMEWORK AS A CENTRAL PART OF ITS STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT PLAN AND STRATEGIC SCALING PLAN FOR 2019-2023. IN 2023, TOSTAN TRAINED 700 LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM SENEGAL (519), MALI (80), AND GUINEA (101) ON STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS: WOMEN AND GIRLS MAKE UP MORE THAN HALF OF CEP PARTICIPANTS. DURING OUR PROGRAM, WOMEN DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS, ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE, AND DEMONSTRATE THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE IMPORTANT DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, SHOWING HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TO THEIR COMMUNITY'S DEVELOPMENT. TOSTAN ALSO WORKS TO ENGAGE MEN AND BOYS IN THE CEP, ENCOURAGING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS. MEN AND WOMEN WORK TOGETHER TO PROMOTE EQUALITY AND DEVELOP NEW SOCIAL NORMS AROUND RESPECTING THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF ALL. TOSTAN ENCOURAGES WOMEN TO TAKE ON LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES: AS PART OF THE CEP, EACH PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY DEMOCRATICALLY SELECTS A CMC TO COORDINATE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. EACH CMC HAS 19 MEMBERS, TEN OF WHOM MUST BE WOMEN. EACH COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF SEVERAL COMMISSIONS, INCLUDING HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, CHILD PROTECTION, EDUCATION, INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES, AND SOCIAL MOBILIZATION, WHICH CONTINUE TO LEAD DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AND PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED DEVELOPMENT LONG AFTER THE PROGRAM HAS FINISHED. ORGANIZED DIFFUSION: THROUGH ORGANIZED DIFFUSION, THE IMPACT OF THE TOSTAN PROGRAM IS MULTIPLIED. EACH CLASS MEMBER COMMITS TO SHARING THEIR KNOWLEDGE WITH AT LEAST ONE PERSON WITHIN THEIR FAMILY AND WIDER COMMUNITY, PERMITTING NEW IDEAS TO BE SPREAD QUICKLY THROUGH THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. EACH PARTNER COMMUNITY ADOPTS ANOTHER COMMUNITY WITHIN THEIR SOCIAL NETWORK, OPENING DIALOGUE AND ALLOWING NEIGHBORING OR INTRAMARRYING COMMUNITIES TO MAKE DECISIONS AS ONE GROUP. OUR WORK OFTEN STRETCHES ACROSS COUNTRY BORDERS TO CREATE IMPACTS ON A REGIONAL SCALE, SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT TO ABANDON FEMALE GENITAL CUTTING (FGC) AND CHILD/FORCED MARRIAGE. TOSTAN ALSO TRAINS DEDICATED SOCIAL MOBILIZATION TEAMS THAT VISIT COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE NEVER PARTICIPATED IN THE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM TO REINFORCE INFORMATION SHARED THROUGH ORGANIZED DIFFUSION ACTIVITIES ON FGC, HEALTH AND RELIGION, ALLOWING COMMUNITIES TO ASK QUESTIONS AND BEGIN TO EXPLORE THESE ISSUES IN GREATER DEPTH AND ACROSS AGE AND GENDER DIVISIONS. IN 2021 THESE SOCIAL MOBILIZATION TEAMS WORKING BOTH DURING AND AFTER THE CEP VISITED HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES AND REACHED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS ARE SMALL GRANTS, USUALLY BETWEEN $300 AND $1,000, PROVIDED TO CMCS TO HELP FUND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AS WELL AS TO ESTABLISH CMC-RUN MICROCREDIT FUNDS. THE ROTATING MICROCREDIT FUNDS SET UP BY THE CMCS HELP VILLAGERS, PARTICULARLY WOMEN, OBTAIN THE INVESTMENT THEY NEED TO START SMALL BUSINESSES, INVEST IN AGRICULTURE, OR TAKE ON OTHER INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES. THE CMCS OPERATE THE MICROCREDIT FUND BASED ON A GROUP-LENDING, REVOLVING-FUNDS SYSTEM. THE CMC WORKS TOGETHER TO SET THE INTEREST RATE AND THE LENGTH OF THE LOANS THEY WILL GRANT. STRONG COMMUNITY TIES HELP ENCOURAGE A HIGH REPAYMENT RATE. THE INTEREST FROM THESE FUNDS IS THEN USED TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF LOANS AVAILABLE, UNDERTAKE COMMUNITY PROJECTS, OR ESTABLISH A SOLIDARITY FUND FOR CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL NEEDS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM SERVICE: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS ALLOW CMCS AND INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PUT THE LITERACY, NUMERACY, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE THEY GAINED DURING THE CEP INTO PRACTICE. THESE GRANTS PROVIDE A WAY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES, ALLOWING THEM TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND SUSTAINABLY INVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. MOBILE PHONE FOR LITERACY AND DEVELOPMENT (MPLD) MODULE: THE MODULE FOCUSES ON USING MOBILE PHONE TECHNOLOGY, SPECIFICALLY SMS TEXT MESSAGING, AS A TOOL TO REINFORCE LITERACY AND NUMERACY SKILLS, AND IS NOW AN INTEGRATED PART OF THE CEP. MOBILE PHONES AND THEIR NETWORKS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE PREVALENT IN THE COMMUNITIES WITH WHICH WE PARTNER. WE FOUND THAT USING MOBILE PHONE TECHNOLOGY IS A RELEVANT AND INNOVATIVE WAY TO REINFORCE LITERACY AND NUMERACY SKILLS LEARNED IN THE CEP. TOSTAN FACILITATORS TEACH PARTICIPANTS THE PRACTICAL USES OF STANDARD MOBILE PHONE FUNCTIONS AND HOW SMS TEXTING CAN BE USED AS A TOOL TO PRACTICE THEIR LITERACY SKILLS. THE MOBILE PHONES ARE USED TO REINFORCE LITERACY, ORGANIZATION, AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS, AS WELL AS TO BUILD CONSENSUS AROUND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. SMS TEXTING BECOMES A SUSTAINABLE AND RELEVANT OPTION FOR REINFORCING LITERACY AND NUMERACY AS ACCESS TO MOBILE PHONE TECHNOLOGY INCREASES. MOBILE PHONES AND SMS TEXT MESSAGING CAN BE USED AS A TOOL TO ACCELERATE POSITIVE SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION. THEY CONNECT WOMEN AND WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES; AMPLIFY THE VOICE AND INFLUENCE OF YOUTH AND MARGINALIZED GROUPS IN A COMMUNITY'S DECISION-MAKING PROCESS; ORGANIZE ADVOCACY WORK; AND ACCELERATE LARGE-SCALE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS. ALL COMMUNITIES BENEFITING FROM THE CEP (SEE ABOVE) ARE BENEFITTING OR WILL BENEFIT FROM TOSTAN'S MPLD PROGRAMMING DURING THE 3-YEAR CEP PERIOD. THE PEACE AND SECURITY PROGRAM: THE PEACE AND SECURITY PROGRAM REINFORCES CONFLICT PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS LEARNED DURING THE CEP THROUGH ADDITIONAL CLASSES OVER SIX MONTHS AND ESTABLISHES A COMMUNITY-LED STRUCTURE TO LEAD AND STRENGTHEN PEACE-BUILDING AND HUMAN SECURITY AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL. SKILLS LEARNED INCLUDE IMPROVED COMMUNICATION AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS AS WELL AS THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF COMMUNITY AND FAMILIAL CONFLICTS. THE PRISON PROJECT: AIMS TO HELP DETAINEES REINTEGRATE BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN A MODIFIED VERSION OF THE CEP. PARTICIPATION BUILDS THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUIPS THEM WITH PRACTICAL SKILLS TO START INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES. WE ALSO FACILITATE FAMILY MEDITATIONS TO HELP INTEGRATE FORMER DETAINEES BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES UPON RELEASE. AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT ADDRESSING PRISON CONDITIONS IN AFRICA ALLOWS PRISONS TO FORM PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND NGOS LIKE TOSTAN TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION SERVICES. THESE SERVICES ENCOURAGE THE SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION OF PRISONERS INTO SOCIETY UPON THEIR RELEASE. AS PART OF THE MODIFIED VERSION OF THE CEP WE IMPLEMENT IN PRISONS, FACILITATORS LEAD CLASS DISCUSSIONS ON TOPICS INCLUDING HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION, PROBLEM-SOLVING, HYGIENE, HEALTH, AND LITERACY, AS WELL AS PROVIDE FAMILY MEDIATION AND SKILL TRAININGS IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES. UPON RELEASE, PARTICIPANTS ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO START-UP FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SMALL BUSINESSES. THE REVENUE GENERATED FROM THE SKILLS TRAININGS AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF THE PRISONERS WHO ARE STILL IMPRISONED MAKE THESE FUNDS POSSIBLE. IN 2023 THE PRISON PROJECT (PP) WORKED IN SEVEN SENEGALESE PRISONS. IN 2023, DETAINEES PARTICIPATED IN CEP SESSIONS ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, PROBLEM SOLVING, HEALTH AND HYGIENE, AND PRACTICAL SKILLS IN LITERACY, NUMERACY, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES. SEVERAL INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS WERE LED BY DETAINEES INCLUDING CELL CLEANING DAYS; SPORTS COMPETITIONS; COOKING; AND CLASSES TEACHING WOLOF, FRENCH AND ENGLISH AND THE INTERPRETATION OF RELIGIOUS TEXTS. TOSTAN RECORDED PERFORMANCE AT 7 PRISONS (MAC RUFISQUE, MAF LIBERTE 6, MAC HANN, MAC KAOLACK, MAC DIOURBEL, MAC THIES AND CAMP PENAL). TOSTAN STAFF FACILITATED A TOTAL OF 207 IN-PERSON MEDIATIONS OF WHICH 145 WERE SUCCESSFUL AND 2175 TELEPHONE MEDIATIONS OF WHICH 1808 WERE SUCCESSFUL. DETAINEES WERE TRAINED IN INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS HAIRSTYLING, EMBROIDERY, POULTRY FARMING, FABRIC DYEING, SHOE AND BAG MAKING, MARKET GARDENING, AND FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND CEREAL PROCESSING. FISTULA: IN 2023 TOSTAN CONTINUED ITS FISTULA PROGRAM, BUILDING ON TOSTAN'S EXPERIENCE FROM 2012 TO 2016, WHICH INTEGRATED CLASSES WITHIN THE CEP AND SUPPORTED OVER 200 WOMEN LIVING WITH FISTULA TO UNDERGO SURGERY. THIS NEW PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OPERATION FISTULA, IS DEVELOPING A HOLISTIC AND REPLICABLE MODEL TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE SYSTEM THAT CAN SUPPORT IDENTIFICATION, TREATMENT, MONITORING, AND REHABILITATION OF FISTULA PATIENTS ON AN ONGOING BASIS. IN 2023, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNFPA AND THE MALIAN GOVERNMENT, TOSTAN SUPPORTED WOMEN IN THE KOULIKORO REGION LIVING WITH FISTULA TO ACCESS MEDICAL TREATMENT AT UNFPA'S REPAIR CAMPS. OUR IN-COMMUNITY CLASSES PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO LEARN ABOUT FISTULAWHAT IT IS, HOW TO PREVENT IT AND HOW TO ACCESS SUPPORT, OFTEN FOR THE FIRST TIME. COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES NOW PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN IDENTIFYING AND REFERRING WOMEN LIVING WITH FISTULA FOR LIFE-SAVING SUPPORT. B. SHARING AND MUTUAL LEARNING TOSTAN HAS BUILT TRAINING PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIP MODELS DESIGNED TO SHARE THE ORGANIZATION'S CONTENT, APPROACH, METHODOLOGY, AND STRATEGY WITH A RANGE OF POTENTIAL PARTNERS. EACH YEAR THE TOSTAN TRAINING CENTER (TTC) WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONERS AND GRASSROOTS LEADERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO SENEGAL TO LEARN ABOUT TOSTAN'S MODEL. NGO LEADERS, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND ACADEMICS, RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND OTHERS COME TOGETHER TO LEARN AND EXCHANGE ON TOSTAN'S PROGRAM CONTENT, HUMAN RIGHTS APPROACH, PARTICIPATORY METHODOLOGY AND ORGANIZED DIFFUSION STRATEGY. PARTICIPANTS EXPLORE THE THEORIES AND PRACTICES OF HOLISTIC COMMUNITY-LED DEVELOPMENT, VISIT VILLAGES THAT HAVE ENDED FGC AND CHILD MARRIAGE AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM, AND DISCUSS EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES FOR CHANGING DEEPLY ENTRENCHED SOCIAL NORMS WITH STAFF WORKING IN THE FIELD. THEY ALSO PARTICIPATE IN HUMAN RIGHTS SESSIONS DRAWN FROM THE TOSTAN PROGRAM AND COVER IMPORTANT LESSONS LEARNED FROM OVER 33 YEARS OF IMPLEMENTATION. IN 2023, 119 PEOPLE FROM 10 COUNTRIES ATTENDED TOSTAN TRAININGS. BY THE END OF 2023, THE TOSTAN TRAINING CENTER HAD REACHED A TOTAL OF 938 ALUMNI FROM 49 COUNTRIES. ADVANCING COMMUNITY WELLBEING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE IN 2023, THE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE FOR AMPLIFYING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY WELLBEING (COP FOR ASCW) UNDERSCORED ITS CENTRAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONERS, ACTIVISTS, AND RESEARCHERS TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY-LED DEVELOPMENT.ONE OF THE MAJOR MILESTONES THIS YEAR WAS THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE, CELEBRATED WITH A VIRTUAL EVENT THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE COP HOSTED EIGHT SHARING AND LEARNING SESSIONS WITH THE TOSTAN TRAINING CENTER (TTC) ALUMNI, ENGAGING 116 ACTIVE MEMBERS WHO ARE NOW APPLYING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE COMMUNITY-LED APPROACH IN THEIR WORK. THESE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS HAVE NOT ONLY STRENGTHENED INDIVIDUAL PRACTICES, BUT ALSO INCREASED COLLECTIVE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. IN ADDITION, THE COP PARTNERED WITH GLOBAL FUND FOR CHILDREN TO CONDUCT A STUDY THAT INCLUDED THE HOSTING OF A LEARNING SUMMIT IN DECEMBER 2023. DURING THIS SUMMIT, AN EXTERNAL CONSULTANT PRESENTED THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES REPORTED WITHIN FIVE PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS FROM LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE. THIS REPORT WILL BE PUBLISHED AND DISSEMINATED IN 2024. C. GLOBAL INFLUENCE AND RECOGNITION: TOSTAN IS INCREASINGLY SEEKING WAYS IN WHICH TO EXCHANGE WITH AND INFLUENCE THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS THE EMERGENCE OF COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL AND REGIONAL CONFERENCES AS WELL AS MEMBERSHIP IN NETWORKS OF THOUGHT-LEADERS AND PARTNERS IN 2023, TOSTAN WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AS A LEADER IN THE GLOBAL CONVERSATION ON CREATING PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORT COMMUNITY-LED WELLBEING AND TO INCLUDE AND AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF MANY LOCAL PARTNERS TO THAT END. IN 2023 TOSTAN CONTINUED ITS PRESENCE IN A RANGE OF GLOBAL NETWORKS AND COMMUNITIES AND HOSTED A RANGE OF WEBINARS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PARTNERS, AND GLOBAL THOUGHT LEADERS. THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS LEADERSHIP AND PROGRAMS HAVE CONTINUED TO BE FEATURED IN THE PRESS, AND REFERENCED IN ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PARTICIPATED IN A WIDE RANGE OF CONFERENCES AT LOCAL AND GLOBAL LEVELS. THESE ARTICLES AND EVENTS ARE DOCUMENTED AND AVAILABLE VIA TOSTAN'S WEBSITE. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM SERVICE: INSPIRING THE GLOBAL CONVERSATION ON WELLBEING: TOSTAN STAFF ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS SOCIAL CHANGE LEADERS' CONVENINGS AND INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY WELLBEING ON A GLOBAL SCALE. OUR ENGAGEMENT SPANNED 17 MAJOR GLOBAL EVENTS, REFLECTING OUR COMMITMENT TO SHARING OUR COMMUNITY-LED DEVELOPMENT MODEL INTERNATIONALLY. IN KIGALI, RWANDA AT WOMEN DELIVER, SEVERAL TOSTAN TEAM MEMBERS AND PARTNERS MADE IMPORTANT CONNECTIONS AND HOSTED SIDE EVENTS WHICH INCLUDED A TTC ALUMNI GATHERING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GIZ. D. AFFILIATION: THE COUNTRY OPERATION IN GUINEA HAS CHANGED TO A NEW PARTNERSHIP MODEL. IN 2023, TOSTAN GUINEA CEASED OPERATIONS, WITH A TRANSITION OF MANY CAPACITIES TO AN AFFILIATE PARTNER KNOWN AS CEGUIFED. CEGUIFED, A PARTNER ORGANIZATION INDEPENDENT OF TOSTAN, HAS A MISSION AND VISION HIGHLY ALIGNED WITH TOSTAN AND WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARTNERSHIP WITH TOSTAN FOR 3 YEARS, FOLLOWING TO A WELL-DEVELOPED PARTNERSHIP PLAN. E. PROGRAMMING LOOKING FORWARD: THE STRATEGY TO 2030 IN 2023 TOSTAN LAUNCHED ITS NEW STRATEGY TO 2030: IN PARTNERSHIP FOR WELLBEING. THIS EXCITING NEW DOCUMENT HAS CREATED A FRAMEWORK FOR TOSTAN'S WORK IN SUPPORTING COMMUNITY WELL-BEING ALONGSIDE A BROAD RANGE OF PARTNERS. THE STRATEGY IS EMPHASIZING THREE MAJOR, INTERCONNECTED OBJECTIVES: OBJECTIVE 1: WIDEN THE PARTNERSHIP WITH NETWORKS OF COMMUNITIES AND CONTRIBUTE TO A SUSTAINABLE MOVEMENT FOR COMMUNITY WELL-BEING IN WEST AFRICA AND BEYOND. OBJECTIVE 2: EXPAND ENGAGEMENT OF THE ECOSYSTEMS OF LOCAL, NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ACTORS - INCLUDING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, RELIGIOUS LEADERS, CIVIL SOCIETY AND DONORS - BY REINFORCING THEIR CAPACITY AND WILL TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY NETWORKS IN THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS IMPROVED WELL-BEING. OBJECTIVE 3: STRENGTHEN THE CONNECTIONS OF NETWORKS OF PARTNER COMMUNITIES TO RESOURCES AND TO SUPPORTIVE STRUCTURES, AND PROMOTE COLLABORATION THAT ENABLES THEM TO ACCELERATE AND SUSTAIN COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. BY THE END OF 2023 TOSTAN'S NEW STRATEGY WAS WELL UNDERWAY WITH EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THESE AREAS. THE ORGANIZATION LOOKS FORWARD TO PROVIDING UPDATES ON ITS WEBSITE AND IN FURTHER UPDATES IN THE COMING YEARS. FORM 990, PART I LINE 5 AND PART V, LINE 2A: THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HAS ADDITIONAL STAFF OF 644 LOCATED IN AFRICA. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 WAS PREPARED BY THE OUTSIDE ACCOUNTANTS. A DRAFT OF THE RETURN WAS REVIEWED BY SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE. THE FINAL FORM 990 WAS PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BEFORE FILING WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ALL EMPLOYEES AND BOARD MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO ANNUALLY SUBMIT ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN WRITING. NEW HIRES WILL BE ASKED IF THERE IS A CONFLICT AND NOTICE WILL BE GIVEN TO THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATELY AND BOARD YEARLY. IF A CONFLICT ARISES, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DETERMINE WHETHER THE CONFLICT EXISTS AND, IF SO, THE BOARD VOTES TO AUTHORIZE OR REJECT THE TRANSACTION OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION DEEMED NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE CONFLICT AND PROTECT TOSTAN'S BEST INTERESTS. BOARD MEMBERS HAVE A DUTY TO DISCLOSE ANY POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DETERMINES WHETHER A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS AND, IF SO THE BOARD VOTES TO AUTHORIZE OR REJECT THE TRANSACTION OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION DEEMED NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE CONFLICT AND PROTECT TOSTAN'S BEST INTERESTS. VOTES WILL BE BY A MAJORITY VOTE, WITHOUT COUNTING THE VOTE OF ANY INTERESTED DIRECTOR, EVEN IF THE DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS ARE LESS THAN A QUORUM PROVIDED THAT AT LEAST ONE CONSENTING DIRECTOR IS DISINTERESTED. AN INTERESTED BOARD MEMBER, OFFICER, OR STAFF MEMBER WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY DISCUSSION OR DEBATE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OR OF ANY COMMITTEE OR SUBCOMMITTEE IN WHICH THE SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION IS A CONTRACT, TRANSACTION, OR SITUATION IN WHICH THERE MAY BE A PERCEIVED OR ACTUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. HOWEVER, THEY MAY BE PRESENT TO PROVIDE CLARIFYING INFORMATION IN SUCH A DISCUSSION OR DEBATE UNLESS OBJECTED TO BY ANY PRESENT BOARD OR COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANYONE IN A POSITION TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT SPENDING TOSTAN'S RESOURCES (I.E., TRANSACTIONS SUCH AS PURCHASES CONTRACTS) - WHO ALSO STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM THAT DECISION - HAS A DUTY TO DISCLOSE THAT CONFLICT AS SOON AS IT ARISES (OR BECOMES APPARENT); S/HE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY FINAL DECISIONS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEWS COMPARABLE SALARIES BEFORE MAKING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SENIOR STAFF SALARIES. THE PROCESS IS DOCUMENTED. A REVIEW WAS LAST CONDUCTED IN JANUARY 2018. THE BOARD COMMITTEE ALSO REVIEWS COMPARABLE SALARIES BEFORE MAKING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE KEY EMPLOYEES SALARIES. THE PROCESS IS DOCUMENTED. TOSTAN'S COMPENSATION POLICY IS TO PAY AT THE 25TH PERCENTILE OF THE MARKET FOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND TOWARDS THE 75TH PERCENTILE FOR AROUND 500 AFRICAN STAFF MEMBERS IN THE FIELD. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G CONTRACT SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 956,264. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 177,879. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 518,289. TOTAL EXPENSES 1,652,432. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: EXCHANGE RATE GAIN/LOSS 180,668.