A three-day intensive training session was launched this Wednesday, April 22, 2026, for ten members of Tournons La Page Togo (TLP-Togo), including four women. The participants are strengthening their skills in advocacy and field research using advanced approaches.

The goal of this initiative is to move from indignation to well-structured advocacy action. It stems from a desire to strengthen national coalitions working for democratic change in Africa. More specifically, it aims to equip Togolese civil society actors with the tools they need to independently draft impactful advocacy briefs and carry out strategic influence activities.

The training, led by the national coordination of TLP-Togo, is part of a broader effort to professionalize the fight for fundamental freedoms. It responds to the need for rigorous documentation of violations of civic space in order to effectively engage national and international institutions.

A program focused on regional challenges

The three-day program is structured around essential theoretical and practical modules, including advocacy and regional mechanisms, with a focus on the functioning of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). It also covers rigorous documentation techniques, such as collecting testimonies, photographs, and field materials. Another key component is the protection of civic space, particularly in contexts where restrictive laws may exist, requiring mastery of protection standards to ensure the safety of human rights defenders during their work.

One of the expected outcomes of this training session is the establishment of an Advocacy Commission within the national coalition. Composed of three trained members, this unit will be responsible for regularly producing analyses and alerts on the state of democracy and freedoms in Togo.

The project, supported by the Reynolds Foundation, sets strict performance indicators: at least one woman must sit on this commission, and the coalition must produce an advocacy document by the end of 2026.

At a time when democratic challenges are multiplying across the subregion, TLP-Togo is betting on knowledge and rigor to advance the cause of good governance, political transition, and democracy.