TANGO, in partnership with CIVICUS, a Civil Society Network based in Johannesburg, South Africa is implementing the Civil Society Index- Rapid Assessment (CSI-RA) in The Gambia. In this light, a two day National Advisory Group Validation of the CSI- Indicators questionnaire spearheaded by TANGO was held from the 17 to 18 January 2013, for twenty-five of its members at TANGO conference hall in Fajara.

CSI-RA is a comprehensive civil society self assessment tool that enables civil society at national level to build up a full and wide ranging picture of its health, strength, and challenges.

Furthermore, CSI-RA process is a participatory needs assessment and action planning tool which involves a mix of method and processes. For this purpose, TANGO constituted a National Advisory Group to work with a consultant to implement the project in The Gambia. Prior to this validation, series of meetings to select the dimensions and the indicators for the research were held.

In his welcoming address, Kebba K. Barrow of TANGO commended the participants for having the time to attend the workshop. He further assured them of his association's continuous support and collaboration with its members across the country.

Dr.Katim S. Touray is the consultant.