WHAT IS INICA?

A platform for discussion and action to support local initiatives


The Initiative for Central Africa (INICA) is a platform for discussion and action around people and groups active in cross-border initiatives in Central Africa (civil society, private sector, churches, universities, NGOs, local and national authorities, regional institutions and donors). INICA is neither a new donor nor a new provider of technical assistance or a new aid agency. INICA’ s value added is its complementarity with ongoing initiatives in Central Africa by promoting people to people networks based on drive and passion to move forward.

An open network for co-operation between individuals


The INICA network is an open network whose drive and ideas are at the centre of its action. Because each individual is a source of knowledge, INICA seeks to draw from this knowledge to contribute to peace and development in Central Africa.

An African vision


INICA believes in the African Union’s (AU) vision of an unified and integrated Africa. INICA supports regional integration processes in Central Africa, building on cross-border co-operation as an engine for integration, economic development and peace.

A facilitation role


INICA through its facilitation role intends to promote the building of shared visions among a range of stakeholders, taking into account the fact that spatial and social fragmentation due to recent conflicts and the breakdown of nation states has led to an increased presence of informal sector actors. They are often the pioneers of cross-border dynamics (both negative and positive) and are frequently overlooked by formal processes.

A cross-border approach


The focus is to identify and support transnational co-operation among actors involved in building regional peace and development from the private sector, regional institutions, civil society, governments, universities and donors. This is to be accomplished by establishing bridges between local, national, regional and international levels as a means of scaling up positive regional synergies.