Overview

Name & Nature
The organization is called Grassroot Initiative for Strengthening Community Resilience (GISCOR). It is a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-political organization operating at the national level in Nigeria.

Location & Presence
The head office is in Maiduguri, Borno State, in northeast Nigeria. It is active mainly in the Northeastern and Northwestern parts of the country, especially in areas affected by conflict and displacement.

Vision & Mission

Vision: To empower conflict-affected communities to be resilient — able to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises with dignity and self-reliance.

Mission: To promote self-reliance of populations affected by crises, via protection and multi-sectoral support, ensuring access to basic needs in safe, dignified ways.

Core Areas & Activities

GISCOR’s work spans several sectors, often focusing on populations affected by conflict, displacement, or crises. Key thematic areas and interventions include:

Sector / Theme Activities & Interventions
Protection & Humanitarian Assistance Supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, returnees, and host communities. Provision of shelter assistance, legal aid, psychosocial support, protection from abuses.
Food Security & Livelihoods Support for agricultural production (distribution of inputs, tools), training in farming, promoting nutrition to reduce food insecurity.
Community Mobilization & Sensitization Awareness campaigns, advocacy, and community-led engagements to promote protection, resilience, and local ownership.
Multi-sectoral Assistance Integrated interventions in WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene), education, health, child protection, and prevention of gender-based violence (GBV).
Stabilization & Recovery Rebuilding infrastructure, promoting access to justice, and supporting the transition from crisis to development.

Examples include conducting “Community Pulse Check” surveys to assess perceptions of security and services, creating platforms like Community Stabilization Committees (CSCs), constructing safe spaces for women and children, and renovating protection desks in local communities.

Achievements & Impact

Support to Displaced Communities
Provision of essentials such as water, food, shelter, legal support, and psychosocial services to displaced and host communities in northeast Nigeria.

Stabilization and Community Ownership
Anchoring stabilization efforts with local participation, including community monitoring and decision-making platforms that build trust and resilience.

Infrastructure & Restoration
Delivery of community infrastructure like water points, housing units, streetlights, and justice structures in conflict-affected areas.

Human Rights & Protection Training
Training of community monitors, local structures, and security personnel on human rights, gender-based violence prevention, and protection mechanisms.

Local Trust & Accountability
Strengthening community committees and other platforms for participatory decision-making and long-term resilience.

Challenges & Risks

Security & Access – Operations in conflict zones face risks from insurgency, attacks, and movement restrictions.

Resource Constraints – Sustaining interventions depends on stable funding, which can fluctuate.

Coordination & Overlap – Ensuring effective collaboration with governments, UN agencies, and other NGOs is complex.

Community Trust – Programs must remain participatory and responsive to avoid eroding trust.

Sustainability – Infrastructure and systems require maintenance and capacity beyond project lifespans.

Monitoring Difficulties – Collecting reliable data in insecure, remote areas is resource intensive.

Potential & Strategic Role

Nexus Programming – Bridging humanitarian relief, stabilization, and development for long-term impact.

Local Capacity Building – Training and supporting local actors and institutions to sustain community resilience.

Advocacy & Policy Engagement – Amplifying community voices to influence governance and justice systems.

Partnerships & Networks – Expanding collaborations with UN agencies, civil society, and donors.

Innovation in Resilience – Using climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and digital tools to improve sustainability and adaptability.